Maison Tardieu Laurent - Châteauneuf du Pape - Vieilles Vignes 2008

With a couple of important exceptions, my experience has been that Châteauneuf du Pape is just too hot to make aromatically interesting white wine, and that the category consists almost entirely of over-priced misadventures. This wine is one of those important exceptions, perhaps because one of the three vineyard sources for it is in the appellation’s coolest sub-regions. The aromas are as striking as the flavors, with suggestions of flowers and white peach and poached pear, along with wood-based accents of spices and toast. The wine shows real weight and breadth on the palate, yet it is focused and lifted thanks to lots of energetic acidity. Bloody impressive wine.

Michael Franz
Wine Review Online , 93/100 , 2011-05-31

A blend of 50 percent Grenache (Blanc) from 60-year-old vines and 50 percent roussanne from 20-year-old vines, this is quiet but powerful. Right now, the silky-smooth texture is the most immediately impressive element. Yet a stealthy current of acidity runs under it, gently pushing notes of peach, dried herbs and light caramel to the surface with air. Firm and reserved, this should last well over the next ten to 15 years.

Tara Q Thomas
Wine & Spirit , 93/100 , 2011-02-01

Lovely butter and creamed peach notes lead the way, followed by a mix of green melon, yellow apple and heather. The long, floral and butter-tinged finish glides along. Shows impressive weight for the vintage.

James Molesworth
Wine Spectator , 92/100 , 2011-02-01

Vivid gold. Highly perfumed scents of nectarine, melon, dried pear and honeysuckle, plus a subtle, deeper note of burnt sugar. Tangy mineral notes add lift to the powerful orchard and pit fruit flavors, which pick up exotic spice and candied floral qualities on the back end. Very suave wine with strong finishing thrust and lingering notes of honey and smoky minerals.

Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzers International Wine Cellar , 91/100 , 2010-02-01