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Firstly, the vineyards had to stand a very hot month of July, as hot as July 2003…
Then, they had to put up with a month of August amongst the coldest in the last 50 years ! After a rather pleasant 2005 autumn, winter cold suddenly struck. Frosts were frequent, and the thermometer did not rise above 13°during the best periods in the day.
2005-2006 Winter was long and chilly. Unfortunately, and once again, feeble rains were not sufficient to bring back up the level of water tables. A violent Mistral in Marc and April, then sunshine stronger than the average, did not help fixing this problem. The growing of the vine was thus perturbed, first at the period of the floraison, then in the course of the véraison, causing, in the whole of the vineyards, a notable heterogeneity.
In return, the vineyards remained perfectly healthy. There were more grapes than last year, with volumes close to 2003, but the berries were small, with thick skins. After the heat wave in July, the rains in August supported maturity. Now, the rains of September made the harvest of Grenache delicate. As often - as always ! - you had to be patient and wait for the right moment… As regards the vinifications, you had to show the same persistence. The Wines revealed their nature very late, in the course of the post- fermentation phases. The juice you could then taste, at this moment, let you anticipate the best - most beautiful wonders…
Dentelles, Garrigues, Village
AgeingOne Wine casks - Allier and Tronçais.
A lot of freshness, despite of the power. An appreciable restraint. The Wine already expresses its minerality, on bunches of scrub and Provence aromatic plants…
14,5%
BottlingManually without filtration.
CépagesGrenache : 75 % Syrah : 25 % Mourvèdre et Cinsault : 5 %
In an appellation that is often frustratingly disappointing, Tardieu-Laurent has turned out a brilliant 2006 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes. Eighty-five percent Grenache and the rest Mourvedre and Syrah, this wine is better than those of many of the best growers. Dark ruby/purple with notes of crushed rock and some hints of blueberry and raspberry, the wine has a cooler-climate feel, but medium to full-bodied flavors and a long, heady finish.
Robert Parker
Wine Advocate
, 91-93/100
, 2008-02-01
A very opulent style, with lots of fig bread and fruitcake aromatics, all backed by dense, fleshy plum, currant and boysenberry fruit laid over a mineral- and charcoal-filled finish. There's plenty in reserve. Drink now through 2012.
James Molesworth
Wine Spectator
, 92/100
, 2009-01-01
Strongly marked by bold aromas and flavors of vanilla, the fruit in this wine also shows a high-toned, Bing cherry note. Yet in the mouth, it’s full bodied, round and lushly textured, ending with plenty of intensity.
Joe Czervinski
Wine Enthusiast
, 89/100
, 2009-12-15
A gravelly, gritty vein of tannin runs through the foresty, black raspberry flavors of this Gigondas. It's a firm, fresh red for lamb chops.
Wine & Spirit , 88/100 , 2009-06-01
Ruby-red. Dark berry and cherry aromas complicated by white pepper and lavender. Firm, delineated red and dark berry flavors pick up sweetness and flesh with air while gaining a tannic quality. Fresher than it showed last year, finishing with good tangy lift and sweet persistence.
Josh Raynolds
Stephen Tanzers International Wine Cellar
, 90/100
, 2009-02-01