Tardieu Laurent : Gigondas "Vieilles Vignes" 2024

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Gigondas "Vieilles Vignes" 2024 Tardieu Laurent

Tasting

Colour
The colour reveals a deeply saturated purple hue, marking a delicate evolution in its highlights.

Nose
Particularly expressive, the nose exhales generous aromas of blackcurrant cream and black raspberry, intimately mingled with peppery notes evoking garrigue. Subtle mineral touches, sandalwood and exotic spices come to perfect this complex bouquet.

Palate
Remarkably textured, the palate offers a medium- to full-bodied profile, supported by a perfect balance between vibrant fruit, freshness and tannins that are both fine and firm. The whole shines with elegance and classic proportions, extending into a wonderfully persistent finish.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs wonderfully with meats with Mediterranean accents such as lamb, duck confit or feathered game (quail, partridge) flavoured with herbs of Provence. It will also enhance braised beef or dishes featuring wild mushrooms such as morels or porcini.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate the Gigondas "Vieilles Vignes" 2024, it is recommended to decant it one to two hours before serving, at an ideal temperature of around 15.5°C. Built to age, it will reveal its full potential after five to eight years in the cellar, and can be enjoyed until around 2044.

The elegance and depth of a Gigondas wine

The estate

Founded in 1996 by Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent in the Provençal village of Lourmarin, Tardieu Laurent has established itself as a leading name in the Rhône Valley. This exceptional micro-négociant stands out for its quest for old vines and its commitment to sustainable and biodynamic farming practices. Today, Michel Tardieu is the sole owner and runs the estate with the support of his children, Bastien and Camille. Together, they carry on a philosophy combining technical rigour with absolute respect for the expression of Rhône terroirs.

The vineyard

The grapes come from historic and prestigious plots within the Gigondas appellation, such as Mont Redon, Les Bédines, La Crau and Cabrières. Aged between 80 and over 100 years, these very old vines thrive on a mosaic of soils composed of limestone, clay, sand and schist, under the climatic influence of the famous Dentelles de Montmirail.

The vintage

2024 benefited from ideal weather conditions in the period leading up to the harvest. The absence of water stress and an earlier harvest than in previous years allowed optimal phenolic ripeness to be reached, yielding remarkably balanced fruit.

Winemaking and aging

The winemaking of the Gigondas "Vieilles Vignes" 2024 begins with fermentation using indigenous yeasts, incorporating around two-thirds whole bunches and one-third destemmed grapes. Aging then takes place in two stages: ten months in one- and two-year-old French oak barrels (from Allier and Tronçais), followed by twelve months of maturation in large wooden foudres. The wine is finally hand-bottled, without any fining or filtration.

Grape varieties

Approximately 80% Grenache, 10% Mourvèdre, 10% Syrah.