Tardieu Laurent : Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Vieilles Vignes" 2021

A lively and precise white wine from the Rhône Valley

The estate

Passionate about wine and terroirs, Michel Tardieu created the Tardieu Laurent estate with his wife in 1996, which over the vintages has become an essential reference among the most beautiful wine labels of the Rhône Valley. For two generations, this family estate has magnified the terroirs of emblematic appellations (Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Condrieu, Hermitage, Vacqueyras, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage ...) through aromatic and delicate wines resulting from rigorous vinification.

The vineyard

This Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Vieilles Vignes" from Tardieu Laurent is made from great Rhone terroirs (La Crau, Font de Michelle, Les Gardioles, Cabrières, Plateau de Mont-Redon). The vines are 40 to 60 years old depending on the grape varieties.

The vintage

Against the trend of recent sunny vintages, 2021 marks a return to old-fashioned harvest rhythms, reminiscent of the maturities of the 90s. This year was marked by extreme weather, notably a historic frost in April, with temperatures approaching -10°C, impacting the entire French vineyard.

If the vine has shown remarkable resilience, the consequences have not been lacking: disorganized growth, complex cultural work and affected yields. However, thanks to well-distributed rains, a moderate summer and a mild late season, the harvest took place under good conditions.

2021 will remain in memory as a demanding vintage, where the know-how of the winemakers was decisive. An authentic vintage, revealing the talent of those who shaped it.

Vinification and aging

The aging is 8 months in new barrels, one and two wines.

Blend

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Vieilles Vignes" 2021 from Tardieu Laurent is the result of a blend of 40% Grenache, 25% Roussanne, 20% Clairette, 10% Bouboulenc, 5% Piquepoul.