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

The refinement and aromatic expression of a Châteauneuf-du-Pape red wine

The estate

Passionate about wine and terroirs, Michel Tardieu created in 1996 with his wife the estate Tardieu Laurent 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 wine

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Vieilles Vignes" 2021 from Tardieu Laurent is a Rhône Valley wine made from vines aged 50 to over 100 years on average, planted on different terroirs (La Crau, Les Gardioles, Maupertuis, Coste Froide, Bois Dauphin).

The vintage

Against the trend of recent sunny vintages, 2021 marks a return to the 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 close to -10°C, impacting the entire French vineyard.

While the vine showed remarkable resilience, the consequences were not 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 be remembered as a demanding vintage in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, where the winemakers' know-how was decisive. An authentic vintage, revealing the talent of those who shaped it.

Vinification and aging

Following the harvest, the grapes are destemmed to 50%. An initial aging of 12 months in barrels of a previous wine is followed by an additional aging of 12 months in foudres.

Blend

The Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Vieilles Vignes" 2021 from Tardieu Laurent is the result of a blend of grenache (80%), mourvèdre (15%) and syrah (5%).