Maison Tardieu-Laurent Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes

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A white Wine to be regarded almost as a… red Wine, because of its concentration, its density, its balance… Long keeping Wine !
The vintage

Time has come to grasp our dictionary of the superlatives, to try and tell the talent of this Vintage… Nonetheless, words will not suffice to describe the unfathomable pleasure that the Tasting of this fabulous Year triggers… ! Winter was characterized by relatively mild temperatures; then a cool spring slowed down the growing of the vine. And, throughout this period, steady, gentle, rainfalls evenly accompanied the vegetative cycle. These extremely propitious conditions have understandably had a positive impact on the harvest, fantastically beautiful, healthy, and generous… !Summer season was marked by high heat, high without being excessive, with little rainfall. Extremely favorable factor, nights remained very cool. Therefore, the vines were under pressure, but moderately, at the limit of stress, yet without ever suffering ! As a result, maturation and concentration operated conjointly : here is one major key to the genius of this Vintage, which calls to the unusual the fantastic, at the borders of the explained and the unexplainable !

Terroir

La Crau, les Gardioles, Cabrières, Plateau de Mont-Redon and Font de Michelle.

Type of soil

Round pebbles and sand.

Ageing

Ageing 10 months in new and one year old barrels. Allier, Tronçais and Jupille.

Serving

12°C
Decant just before service.

Alcohol content

14%

Bottling

Without fining and light filtration.

Cépages

Grenache blanc : 45 %
Roussanne : 35 %
Clairette : 15 %
Bourboulenc : 5 %

The 2016 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Vieilles Vignes offers more white flowers, buttered citrus and caramelized pineapple notes, yet offers similar levels of richness and depth. I suspect this will benefit from 6-12 months of bottle age. It’s serious stuff.

JebDunnuck.com , 92-94+/100 , 2017-10-19

Deep straw. Quite a rich nose. Lots of fruit and juice. Round and saline at the same time. The Roussanne is a very powerful ingredient. Great stuff. Not heavy with good freshness. Sleek and tastes much fresher than most white Châteauneufs. Bravo! This may go into retreat in the middle of the suggested drinking period.

Jancis Robinson , 17/20 , 2017-12-01

Transparent yellow. Expressive citrus and orchard fruit aromas are complicated by suggestions of white flowers, iodine, toasty lees and honey. Mineral-laced, penetrating orange pith and pear liqueur flavors are complemented by deeper suggestions of toasted brioche and marzipan, while a firm mineral spine lends lift and support. Finishes with superb definition, breadth and length, leaving floral and mineral notes behind.

Josh Raynolds
Vinous , 94/100 , 2018-04-01

Alluring, with creamed melon, pear and Jonagold apple flavors that glide along, gilded liberally with heather honey, singed almond and persimmon notes.Long and lush trough the finish.

Wine Spectator , 93/100