Maison Tardieu Laurent - Gigondas - Vieilles Vignes

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The proportion of wines from the famous “dentelles mountain range” is down this year, due to maturity variations in this area. This wine, as a result, shows extreme concentration without, however, tipping over into parody. Grenache, grown here on the lower part of the appellation has worked miracles.
The vintage

A Vintage saved by the months of September and October, which were exceptional.
A summer-like spring and a spring-like summer and an optimal autumn… This, more or less, summarises the Vintage.
The weather conditions in spring, reminiscent of summer, suggested that it would be a relatively early harvest. But a summer, which more resembled spring in character, slowed down the maturity, above all that of Grenache. Autumn, however, enhanced eve-rything, and, ultimately, provided fantastic condi-tions for the harvest.
The conditions during the growing cycle really fa-voured Syrah and Mourvèdre. Grenache has suffered somewhat from a chilly and rainy July. Yields were also high, which tended to impede maturation and was a potential risk to the overall health of the grapes.
As is so often the case in these conditions, Old Vines in Great Terroirs come into their own. Wines made from such vines and those which follow are, in my opinion, really exceptional. They are however an exception, representing a tiny proportion of the overall production.Buyers, beware, and be careful, therefore, when choosing your Wines!

Terroir

Dentelles, Garrigues, Village.

Ageing

One vintage old barrels. Allier and Tronçais.

Alcohol content

14,5%

Bottling

Without fining and filtration.

Cépages

Grenache : 80 %
Mourvèdre : 10 %
Syrah : 10 %

Dark ruby. Ripe cherry, blackberry and allspice on the perfumed nose and palate. Offers gently sweet dark fruit flavors braced by juicy acidity and a smoky mineral quality. Powerful and lively wine with no excess fat. Closes spicy, focused and long, with excellent clarity and smooth, even tannins.

Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzers International Wine Cellar , 91/100 , 2014-02-01

Enticing, with a juicy core of dark plum, blackberry and black currant fruit, laced with bramble and charcoal notes. Shows grip and perfume on the finish. Should settle in with moderate cellaring.

James Molesworth
Wine Spectator , 92/100 , 2013-11-01

The 2011 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes possesses soft, floral, black raspberry and currant notes intermixed with hints of crushed rocks and spice. It should drink well for 5-6 years.

Robert Parker
Wine Advocate , 89-91/100 , 2012-10-01

80% 70-year-old Grenache. Dark crimson. Lightly peppery nose and masses of almost rudely ripe fruit and then quite marked tannins. This wine needs quite a while but it should eventually unfurl into something pretty smart and appealing. All the elements are there.

Jancis Robinson , 17/20