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In 2007, the challenging, pretty wet, conditions leading up to the end of Spring,
resulted in disease pressure in the vineyards. Combined with the potentially higher yields of the year, this reminded the observant Vignerons of testing vintages of the past.
Providentially, Summer was remarkably dry. A formidable sunshine and a sustained wind - although less fierce than in the preceding years - thus cleansed the Vineyards of any disease.
Even better : in these ideal conditions, the harvest began 120 days after flowering. It is exceptional that there is so long a period of time between flowering and harvesting - normally 100 days.
The harvest was drawn out. The conscientious Vignerons harvested “à la carte”, parcel by parcel, taking into account a complex heterogeneity, linked to the various maturing pace of each cépage, and to the greater or lesser precocity of each Terroir.
An impeccable sanitary state, and fresh nights, allowed the collection of perfect grapes, ideally healthy. And, cool temperatures made it possible to start slow vinifications under optimal conditions.
A subtle balance between fruit, crispness, and finesse of the tannins. The extraction of colour in the cuves never was this easy. The aromatic profiles are complex, powerful, without a hint of over ripeness. The tannins appear to be fine, round, and mellow.
Less imposing than in 2005, but amply sufficient, these tannins let anticipate a keeping Vintage. Yet, the most striking feature of 2007 is the purity of perfect fruit - the volatile acidities are the lowest ever recorded - a promise of a radiant expression of the Vins Rouges, and even more so, of the Vins Blancs.
The involvement and the know-how of the real Vignerons. In 2007, a number of Vignerons of the Vallée du Rhône, the best ones, redoubled efforts, so that their grapes reached a Quality close to perfection. Indeed, the work of the man can be decisive... unless the Vintage is “obvious” from the start, a case which is not so frequent ! The battle of authenticity, and of excellence, is to be attained in the Vineyards. Starting with the soils.
More than ever, being a Vigneron, is being able to “listen to” Nature. This way only, the challenge of adapting the Vineyards to the climatic changes will be won...
Grès d'Orange, la Crau, les Gardioles.
AgeingNew oak casks and one year casks - Allier and Tronçais.
The Tannins are of a rare power. They give this Wine an oversize form. Tastes like a Liquor in the mouth, with a remarkably velvety texture.
14,5%
BottlingNo filtration.
CépagesGrenache : 80 % Mourvèdre : 10 % Syrah : 10 %
Sporting a deep purple color as well as a captivating nose of licorice, chocolate ganache covered cherries, spice, and vanilla, with touches of background wood, the 2007 Tardieu-Laurent Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes opens beautifully in the glass. Full bodied and stunningly fruited, the wine carries a rich, textured palate, perfect balance and a focused, very long finish. Give this beauty 2 to 3 years to integrate its components and then drink over the following 20.
Jeb Dunnuck
The Rhone Report
, 96/100
, 2010-08-31
Inky ruby. Deep, pungent cassis and cherry-cola scents expand with aeration, picking up notes of anise, dried rose and incense. Very spicy and minerally in the mouth, offering sweet raspberry and bitter cherry flavors and a late note of black tea. Finishes spicy, focused and impressively persistent. This very young wine will require patience.
Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzers International wine cellar
, 92/100
, 2010-02-01
Clearly modern, offering lush macadamia, Cavaillon melon and buttered brioche notes, but also superpure and fine, with blazing minerality and a long, graceful, floral-filled finish. A beauty for its combination of weight and precision.
James Molesworth
Wine Spectator
, 93/100
, 2009-04-30
This is crammed with a massive core of blueberry compote, braised fig and mulled blackberry and boysenberry fruit flavors, all wound up with graphite tannins and backed by a strong, iron-filled spine. This has serious depth and drive, with gorgeous mocha and espresso aromatics flittering throughout.
James Molesworth
Wine Spectator
, 96/100
, 2009-11-15
With air, notes of bay, lemon, wax and wheat come up from underneath the rich, smoky apricot fruit. The acidity cuts through it, letting the wine finish clean. Give it at least a year-if not six-in bottle before serving with scallops in brown butter
Wine & Spirit , 90/100 , 2009-06-01
The 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes is fashioned from old vine Grenache (90%) and the rest Syrah and Mourvedre, the last two components aged in new oak. The fruit comes from parcels on La Crau, Solitude, and Mont-Olivet. The wine exhibits that sweet white chocolate character that Grenache sometimes displays, along with a deep ruby/purple color, super intensity, and plenty of red and black fruit, garrigue, and grilled meat notes. A quintessential example of Provence, drink it over the next 15-20 years.
Robert Parker
Wine Advocate
, 92-94/100
, 2008-10-01