Maison Tardieu Laurent - Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes

Téléchargements

For our greatest pleasure, the old vines of Syrah managed to achieve a top level quality. Very aromatic, in a "northern style", they confer to the cuvée a singular personality.
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...

Terroir

Les Grès, les Pendants, la Longe, la Ponche.

Ageing

24 months in one vintage barrels. Allier et Tronçais.

Serving

14°C
Decant 2 hours before tasting.

Alcohol content

14,5%

Bottling

Without fining and filtration.

Cépages

Grenache : 70 %
Syrah : 30 %

Toasty, with lots of melted red licorice, raspberry pate de fruit and warm fruitcake notes, all laced with a singed apple wood accent that gives the finish spine and definition. A flashy style, delivering ample fresh acidity.

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

Soft, smooth nose; lovely blackberry, blueberry and violet notes; dense, seamless and balanced; bright acidity and supple texture. 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah.

Anthony Dias Blue
The Tasting Panel , 92/100 , 2015-03-01

Glass-staining ruby. Musky, floral aromas of cherry compote, cassis and licorice, with a bright mineral topnote. Rich, supple and expansive, with intense bitter cherry and blackcurrant flavors picking up a spicy nuance with air. For its weight this wine comes off as quite elegant, finishing with supple tannins and a suggestion of candied flowers.

Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzer International Wine Cellar , 90-92/100 , 2014-02-01

Dark purple. Rich and vigorous with masses of ripe, confident fruit. Masses of tannin too. Still very chewy on the end with strong herbal notes, and something floral on the very end.

Jancis Robinson , 17/20 , 2013-11-04

More floral and perfumed, the Grenache dominated 2012 Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes (fermented with lots of whole cluster and aged all in 1-2 year old barrels) offers plenty of blackberry, blueberry, violets, mint, spice and toast to go with a medium to full-bodied, rich and chewy profile on the palate. Pure, balance and layered, it should be outstanding and drink nicely for 8-10 years, if not longer.

Jeb Dunnuck
Wine Advocate , 89-91 , 2013-12-01

Smoky wood scents bring out the meaty, gamey character of this red, a 70-30 blend of grenache off 60-year-old vines. It feels ripe and smooth, with plenty of mulled cherry and blackberry fruit to balance the oak.

Tara Q Thomas
Wine & Spirit , 91/100 , 2016-01-11