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The rather warm conditions of the last few vintages could have led us to believe that the same conditions would repeat themselves with the 2008 vintage, but, that was not the case!
The 2008 vintage will have a style that one could call old fashion, the product of a vintage that was from cold to very cold with very slow maturing rates.
The spring rainfall did not make things easier, promoting mildew which was responsible for the loss of part of the harvest.
The rather cold summer, with no periods of excessive heat, did not promote fast maturation of the grapes as had been the case in previous years.
At the beginning of September, an unexpected rainfall came to add complexity to this vintage, with strong rains, mainly in the north and in the Rhône Valley. This wet period was fared perfectly in those areas where the sanitary state of the fruit
was perfect. The grapes that were in perfect good health were found in those vineyards belonging to the best vignerons. It was these same vignerons that received the full benefit of a long favorable period with cool temperatures and plenty of sun beginning in mid-September.
The weather during harvest brought smiles to our faces, knowing that the quality potential was rather good.
La Crau.
AgeingOne wine selection of Allier and Tronçais casks.
WinemakingNon destemmed.
14,5%
BottlingWithout filtration.
CépagesGrenache : 100 %
Dense ruby. Exotic red and dark berry preserves, flowers and incense on the nose. Spicy, impressively pure raspberry and cherry flavors stain the palate and becomes sweeter with air. Shows a lot of depth for the vintage. Finishes with very good clarity and nervy cut, repeating the floral note.
Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzers International Wine Cellar
, 91/100
, 2011-04-01
The 2008 Tardieu-Laurent Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Spéciale is 100% Grenache, from 80-100 year old vines and sandy soils, that’s aged all in new oak casks, It’s meaty and round, displaying ripe aromas of smoked meats, lavender, wild herbs, and black olive on the nose. Perfumed and slightly exotic, the wine is medium+ bodied on the palate, delivering a fleshy, full texture, sound balance, and a relatively upfront personality. Certainly outstanding, however, the herbaceous quality here gives me pause and it will be interesting to see how this ages, with my fear being it turns overtly herb/fennel driven. As it stands, it’s drinking superbly...
Jeb Dunnuck
The Rhone Report
, 92/100
, 2011-02-01
A lovely traditional style, with macerated black currant and cherry fruit liberally laced with black tea, sandalwood, incense and mulled spice notes. Very stylish, with mineral and shiso leaf notes gliding through the peppery yet silky finish. No destemming here; always a great contrast to the Vieilles Vignes bottling.
James Molesworth
Wine Spectator
, 93/100
, 2010-10-15
The top selection is the 2008 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Speciale, which is 100% old vine Grenache. It offers abundant aromas of kirsch liqueur, incense, and spice in an impressively endowed, rich, medium to full-bodied style that should evolve easily for a decade. Yields were a minuscule 18 hectoliters per hectare, which explains the wine’s high level of concentration.
Robert Parker
Wine Advocate
, 90-92/100
, 2009-10-01
Paler than the Vieilles Vignes cuvee with a definite brownish tinge. Smudgy rim. Rather a tired sample. Pity. I assume this is not the wine’s fault, and will try to judge the wine ignoring the slight oxidation. Fizzy and energetic with opulence and richness and roundness. Much livelier than the Vieilles Vignes. Inky and tarry but this should be an exciting wine. There is real drive to this sweet, juicy wine which is so fleet of foot that you hardly notice the alcohol and richness.
Jancis Robinson
, 17,5/20