Maison Tardieu-Laurent Rasteau - Vieilles Vignes

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The appellation which was bless by the gods! Beautiful back season, which allowed picking grapes at optimal maturity.
The vintage

Indeed, all along the year, 2012 did not spare the Vignerons : even the savviest got confused, almost losing their points of references, while dealing with its tricks ! Heterogeneity in the vineyard would bear, right from the start, the mark
of damage caused by winter frost. Sadly enough, very old Grenache and Syrah vines did not survive this frost. Loss of a precious heritage, impact on the
yields of the upcoming harvest, Vignerons were already under pressure…
Conversely, the months of July and August were extremely hot, speeding
up the maturing process, as a first step, but worsening water stress, in a second. Rarest reaction, the Vignerons came to bless the rains that fell beginning of September, as they profitably revived the phenolic ripening of the grapes. In the end, deciding the right moment to pick up grapes caused the
serious Vignerons a real headache ! To the extent that the harvesting of
the different cépages, in the different parcelles, followed a more than widely unusual order…
And now, for one more uncommon observation : opting for a later harvest was not necessarily the winning choice, in 2012 : the exception that
proves the rule !
Now, at this stage, as the Wines are nearing the end of the fermenting process,
they already impose their real potential : they are very, very, good… Thus, they lead us to admit that, from contrasts, Harmony can arise...

Type of soil

Limestone-clay slopes and blue clay.

Ageing

20 months in one vintage old barrels. Allier and Tronçais.

Serving

14°C
Decant an hour before tasting.

Alcohol content

14,5%

Bottling

Without fining and filtration.

Cépages

Grenache : 70 %
Syrah : 25 %
Mourvèdre : 5 %

Features flashy anise and cinnamon spice notes up front, followed by a core of dark plum and blackberry preserves. The finish offers a bolt of red licorice and a backdrop of warm fruitcake. A not-shy style that will have fans for sure.

James Molesworth
Wine Spectator , 91/100 , 2015-04-30

Smooth, rich nose; lush, dense and showing plenty of cassis, black cherry and smokiness; minerally and intense with juicy acidity. 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre.

Anthony Dias Blue
The Tasting Panel , 90/100 , 2015-03-01

Deep ruby. Powerful, expansive dark berry aromas show a distinctly ripe cast and a touch of licorice. In a deep, brooding style, offering intense cassis and bitter cherry flavors with building hints of spices and flowers. Closes broad, smoky and long, the licorice and cassis notes repeating. I find the tannins quite harmonious here, which allows the wine's powerful fruit to come to the fore

Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar , 90-92/100 , 2014-04-01

Comprised mostly of Grenache, with 20% of Syrah, the 2012 Rasteau Vieilles Vignes is a big, rich, full-bodied effort that gives up classic Rasteau aromas and flavors of dark berry fruit, mineral, leather, chocolate and dusty soil.

Jeb Dennuck
Wine Advocate , 91-93/100 , 2013-12-01

Very dark purple. Juicy and marked more by acidity than tannin, oddly enough. Just a tad rustic.

Jancis Robinson , 16,5/20 , 2013-11-04

Vivid ruby. Powerful dark berry, licorice and floral qualities on the nose and palate, along with peppery spice and mineral flourishes that add vivacity. Sweet, broad and smoky, picking up a hint of cola on the back half. Velvety tannins provide grip to a long, sappy finish that echoes the floral and licorice notes.

Josh Raynolds
Vinous , 91/100 , 2016-06-01