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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.
Rouméas, Muret, Beaumes, Méal.
AgeingNew barrels. Tronçais and Allier.
13,5%
BottlingWithout filtration.
CépagesSerine Syrah
This fills the head with a delicious, warm wash of syrah on first inhale; the flavors follow through, limpid and lithe, herbal accents lifting the cassis fruit. It's a very pretty Hermitage, balanced and precise, with a sinewy strength that will cut through the fatty richness of fennel-rubbed pork shoulder.
Wine & Spirit , 91/100 , 2012-02-01
Full bodied yet fresh and lively at the same time, this is an opulent white Hermitage that should make for delicious early drinking. Orange marmalade and honey notes are complemented by hints of truffle, adding an exotic edge.
Joe Cerwinzki
Wine Enthusiast
, 91/100
, 2011-10-01
A solid wine in the vintage, the 2008 Tardieu-Laurent Hermitage, from the lieux-dits of Rouméas, Les Murets, Beaumen, and Le Méal, aged all in new French oak, shows a deep red color to go with fresh, edgy aromas of smoked meat, toasted spice, cracked black pepper, leather, and both black and red fruits. While leaning towards the fresh end of the spectrum, there’s good ripeness and richness here as well. These characteristics carry over to the palate as well, where the wine is medium-bodied with crisp acids, a focused, delineated profile, and solid fruit that builds in the mouth and carries into a solid, very well done finish.
Jeb Dennuck
The Rhone Report
, 91/100
, 2011-09-01
Deep ruby. Pungent, spice-accented aromas of red and dark berries, with subtle floral and mineral nuances adding complexity. Sappy, incisive raspberry and cassis flavors show decent concentration and gain smokiness and floral character with air. An elegant, restrained, mineral-driven wine that finishes brisk and with very good, spicy length. This wine has filled in since last year but is still a relatively lithe take on Hermitage that will strike those who prize power as light; I really like its balance and precision.
Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzers International Wine Cellar
, 91/100
, 2011-04-01
This actually looks paler than the St-Joseph and the Cornas! Especially at the rim. Presumably the wine was pretty dilute? Very forward, evolved nose but much more classical and true to the appellation than the St-Joseph and Cornas. Tar and gloss and savour and hugely satisfying in a pretty early-maturing sort of way. Beautifully supple and reasonably subtle – very appetising even if definitely in lesser vintage register. You could almost drink it straightaway! I found it very difficult to spit this wine. The tannins just nudge up on the very finish but it is already scented enough to remind me slightly of Piemonte. Relatively marked acidity. Note the unusually early drinking dates. Early-drinking Hermitage - it has a place!
Jancis Robinson
, 17,5/20