Tardieu Laurent : Vacqueyras "Vieilles Vignes" 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for the Vacqueyras "Vieilles Vignes" 2023 by Tardieu Laurent

Tasting

Color
This wine from the Rhône Valley displays a beautiful deep red colour.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with fragrant notes of dried flowers evoking Mediterranean scrubland, wild thyme, rosemary and lavender, subtly blended with hints of oriental spices.

Palate
The palate reveals a silky texture and aromas of ripe fruit such as blackberry, accompanied by notes of anise and sweet spices. Fine acidity and tannins with graphite accents support the whole through to a long, mineral finish.

Food and wine pairing

This red wine pairs perfectly with Mediterranean or classic French cuisine, such as duck with fruit or roast lamb. It also goes wonderfully with mature cheeses such as Comté, aged Mimolette, Époisses or Bleu de Bresse.

Service and storage

For optimal enjoyment, it is recommended to decant this Vacqueyras "Vieilles Vignes" 2023 one to two hours before serving at a temperature of between 14 and 16°C. It can be enjoyed while young but will continue to evolve, remaining enjoyable until around 2032.

The precision and elegance of a Vacqueyras wine by Tardieu Laurent

The estate

Founded in 1996 by Michel Tardieu, the house of Tardieu Laurent is based in Lourmarin. This micro-négociant stands out for its distinctive approach, favouring the purchase of grapes from old vines rather than finished wines, and operating on relationships of trust without contracts. Today, Michel Tardieu still runs the estate, supported by his son, winemaker Bastien, as well as Michèle and Camille. Since 2018, the EPI group has joined the venture to support distribution while preserving the estate's independence and identity.

The vineyard

The grapes for this Vacqueyras come from four distinct terroirs within the appellation: Plateau de Sarrians, La Ponche, Les Pendants and Cabassole. Sheltered from the north wind by the Dentelles de Montmirail, this vineyard benefits from a very sunny Mediterranean climate. The varied soils consist of rolled pebbles, sand, clay, marl, sandstone and fragments of white limestone. The Grenache vines are over 60 years old, while the Syrah and Mourvèdre vines are around forty years old.

The vintage

2023 began with a mild, rainy winter, followed by a dry spring with moderate temperatures, although humidity favoured mildew pressure. Summer brought sunny days and cool nights. An extreme heatwave hit the vines between mid-August and September. The old vines withstood this heatwave particularly well, achieving good ripeness while retaining natural acidity.

Winemaking and aging

For this Vacqueyras "Vieilles Vignes" 2023, two-thirds of the harvest is vinified using whole-bunch pressing, with the remaining third destemmed. After malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged for ten months in one- and two-wine barrels made from Allier and Tronçais oak. Maturation then continues for a further ten months in large vats from the same forests. Bottling takes place without fining or filtration.

Grape varieties

Grenache (70%), Mourvèdre (15%), Syrah (15%).