In the glass
Aroma: overripe plum, coffee, garrigue, dark chocolate, smoked meat
Palate: concentrated dark fruit, sweet spice, leather, firm tannins, long spicy finish
Negociant Tardieu-Laurent sources old-vine Grenache and Mourvedre from Chateauneuf; the result is a powerful, oak-influenced, concentrated cuvee for extended ageing.
What it pairs with
-
Grilled rib-eye with truffle butter
Rich oak and concentration demand equally rich food. -
Braised duck confit
Dark fruit and coffee notes complement the richness of duck confit.
How to serve Tardieu-Laurent Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes
Allow 95 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 90 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 16-18°C. Cellar temperature (16-18°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a large Bordeaux-style glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Grilled rib-eye with truffle butter, Braised duck confit. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent created this Chateauneuf cuvee sourced from old-vine parcels in the appellation. The negociant approach allows selection of the best fruit each vintage. Oak-influenced in style, it differs from the traditional foudre-aged approach of most Chateauneuf estates.
- 1996 — Tardieu-Laurent Chateauneuf Vieilles Vignes first produced by the negociant partnership
Facts
- Producer
- Tardieu-Laurent
- Grapes
- Grenache (70%), Mourvedre (20%), Syrah (10%)
- Classification
- Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC
- Oak
- 16 months in small French oak barrique, one-third new
- ABV
- 15.0%
- Price
- EUR 90-150 at retail
- Drinking window
- 5-20 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1996
Frequently asked about Tardieu-Laurent Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes
What does Tardieu-Laurent Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes taste like?
On the nose, overripe plum, coffee, garrigue, dark chocolate, smoked meat. On the palate, concentrated dark fruit, sweet spice, leather, firm tannins, long spicy finish. Structurally full-bodied, firm tannins, medium acidity with a long finish. Negociant Tardieu-Laurent sources old-vine Grenache and Mourvedre from Chateauneuf; the result is a powerful, oak-influenced, concentrated cuvee for extended ageing.
When should I drink Tardieu-Laurent Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes?
Drink 5-20 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Tardieu-Laurent Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes?
Grilled rib-eye with truffle butter is the canonical pairing; Braised duck confit is the other strong match. Rich oak and concentration demand equally rich food.
What grapes are in Tardieu-Laurent Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes?
The blend is Grenache (70%), Mourvedre (20%), Syrah (10%). The wine is classified as Chateauneuf-du-Pape AOC.