Tardieu-Laurent - Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2007 (JR 17.5+, Vivino 4.1)

Tardieu-Laurent

Tardieu-Laurent - Chateauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes 2007

Country - France
Region - Southern Rhone - Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Vintage - 2007
Grape - 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah
Strength - 14.5% vol.
Bottle size - 750ml

Jancis Robinson (JR) - 17.5+ / 20
Vivino 4.1 pts (39 ratings) as at 2020.12.25

2007 Southern Rhone Vintage score (from Wine Spectator Vintage Charts) - 95 pts
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Beyond Bordeaux and Burgundy, the Rhone Valley is also very famous in France.
Among the Southern Rhone wines, Chateauneuf-du-Pape is undoubtedly the most renowned.
It is generally made with Grenache as the primary grape, blended with Syrah (also known as Shiraz) and Mourvedre, or over ten other grape varieties permitted by law.

Tardieu Laurent was established in 1996, its name originating from the two founders, Michel Tardeiu and Dominique Laurent. Tardieu Laurent is one of the few wine merchants that adopt biodynamic farming practices.
Vieilles Vignes means old vines. Tardieu-Laurent blends Grenache vines over 80 years old, Syrah vines over 50 years old, and Mourvedre vines over 30 years old.
Old vines have significantly lower yields. Research indicates that this results in more concentrated fruit flavors in the wine.
Furthermore, because the roots of old vines are deeper than those of new vines, they can absorb nutrients and water more effectively.
This helps to reduce instability caused by varying vintages and weather conditions.
If you are interested in old vines, you can find more information here.

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Tasting note for reference -

Julia Harding MW (from JR's team) -

Deep intense dark fruit on the nose. Fine dark damsons. Even with that ripeness of fruit there is a remarkable finesse in the tannins, which are very fine and fresh. Although the tannins are not resolved, they leave your mouth feeling clean and refreshed. Alcohol well integrated. Concentrated, full of life and very long.

Jeb Dunnuck -
The Rhone Report , 96/100 , 2010-08-31

Sporting a deep purple color as well as a captivating nose of licorice, chocolate ganache covered cherries, spice, and vanilla, with touches of background wood, the 2007 Tardieu-Laurent Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes opens beautifully in the glass. Full bodied and stunningly fruited, the wine carries a rich, textured palate, perfect balance and a focused, very long finish. Give this beauty 2 to 3 years to integrate its components and then drink over the following 20.