Tardieu Laurent : Cuvée Spéciale 2022

The vivacity and refinement of a red wine from Châteauneuf-du-Pape

The estate

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

The Cuvée Spéciale from Tardieu Laurent is a wine from the Rhône Valley made from century-old vines, planted in the "Bas de la Crau" terroir on predominantly sandy soils.

The vintage

The last two years powerfully illustrate the effects of climate change on the Rhône vineyard, alternating between opposite extremes: 2021, cool and rainy, followed by a 2022 marked by unprecedented drought. This contrast raises questions about the future of the region and the adaptability of the vine to these challenges.

While some voices praise the quality of 2022, this vintage also reveals its share of inequalities. Episodes of water stress have tested the terroirs, and only the plots that escaped critical thresholds benefited from the salvific late summer rains.

The heterogeneity between and within the appellations is marked, making tastings at the estate essential to fully appreciate the diversity of Châteauneuf-du-Pape wines. More than ever, the rigorous selection of cuvées takes on its full meaning, highlighting the winemakers' expertise in the face of these new climatic realities.

Vinification and aging

The initial aging of 12 months in barrels of two and three wines is complemented by an additional 12 months of aging in foudre.

Blend

Grenache (99%)
Other (1%).

Characteristics and tasting advice for the 2022 Cuvée Spéciale from Tardieu Laurent

Service

For optimal tasting, decant the wine two hours before tasting it at a temperature of 14°C.

Cellaring

This wine from the Rhône Valley can be cellared for another ten years to fully release its aromatic nuances.