Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/471637
80 / the tasting panel / march 2015 WHITES 90 Tardieu-Laurent 2013 Côtes du Rhône Blanc "Guy Louis" ($33) Smooth and creamy with tangy acidity and lush aromatics; peach, tropical fruit and lovely balance; mellow and generous. 55% Marsanne, 15% Grenache Blanc, 15% Roussanne, 15% Viognier. 92 Tardieu-Laurent 2013 Saint-Péray Vieilles Vignes ($43) Lush and smooth with peach, tropical fruit and biscuity notes; generous but elegant and crisp; long and nicely structured. 50% Marsanne, 50% Roussanne. 93 Tardieu-Laurent 2013 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc Vieilles Vignes ($73) Soft and smooth with elegant notes of peach, citrus and biscuits; elegant and beautifully structured; minerally and complex. 50% Grenache Blanc, 50% Rousanne. 96 Tardieu-Laurent 2012 Hermitage Blanc ($86) Golden color ; lush mineral nose; silky and rich with lovely vanilla and creamy style; elegant and delicate with amazing depth and subtle fruit; long and seamless with exquisite finesse. 80% Marsanne, 20% Rousanne. 95 Tardieu-Laurent 2013 Condrieu ($87) lush and aromatic with rich vanilla and smooth, elegant style; creamy and exotic with lovely Viognier flavors and floral notes; graceful and beautiful. 100% Viognier. REDS 90 Tardieu-Laurent 2013 Côtes du Rhône Villages Les Becs Fins ($21) Smooth and ripe with juicy blackberry and tangy black raspberry; fresh and bright with clean style and a long, lively finish. 60% Grenache, 40% Syrah. 90 Tardieu-Laurent 2012 Rasteau Vieilles Vignes ($37) Smooth, rich nose; lush, dense and showing plenty of cassis, black cherry and smokiness; minerally and intense with juicy acidity. 70% Grenache, 25% Syrah, 5% Mourvèdre. 92 Tardieu-Laurent 2012 Vacquéyras Vieilles Vignes ($47) Soft, smooth nose; lovely blackberry, blueberry and violet notes; dense, seamless and balanced; bright acidity and supple texture. 70% Grenache, 30% Syrah. 92 Tardieu-Laurent 2012 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes ($51) Minerally and spicy with blackberry, black raspberry; smooth, rich and balanced with depth and style. 95% Greanche, 5% Mourvèdre. 93 Tardieu-Laurent 2012 Saint-Joseph Vieilles Vignes ($55) Dark and rich with juicy, bright, polished style; rich and intense blackberry and wild blueberry; lush, balanced and exquisite; a stunning wine from an under-appreciated appellation; masterful and complete. 93 Tardieu-Laurent 2012 Cornas Coteaux ($69) Firm and edgy with blackberry and black raspberry fruit; smoke and minerals in a tightly wound package; fine structure and great potential; give it time. 91 Tardieu-Laurent 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape ($63) Rich blackberry and raspberry with toasted oak and spices; smooth and generous with elegance and balance; dense and long. 80% Grenache, 20% Syrah. 95 Tardieu-Laurent 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes ($91) Lush and dense with ripe blackberry and black raspberry fruit with lovely minerality and smoke; seamless, rich and elegant with great concentration and a long, bright finish; give it time. 90% Grenache, 5% Cinsault, 5% Syrah. 94 Tardieu-Laurent 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Spéciale ($91) Warm blackberry nose; lush and smooth with sweet berry fruit and spice; generous and elegant with concentration and depth; juicy and lush with enormous charm and great aging potential. 100% Grenache. TARDIEU-LAURENT IS IMPORTED BY WILSON DANIELS. Haute Négoce Discovering the Rhône Wines of Tardieu-Laurent IN FEWER THAN TEN SHORT YEARS, Michel Tardieu has become one of the most highly acclaimed négociants in the Rhône, shepherding approximately 17 distinctive wines into bottle each year divided between the Southern and Northern Rhône. Two-thirds of Michel's production is in the Southern Rhône, where his working relationships include ten growers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Tardieu talent lies in securing long-term, hand-shake deals with vignerons who carefully guard the location of their 50- to 100-plus-year-old vines and who farm without recourse to chemicals or artificial fertilizers. When harvest and fermentation are complete, the wines are racked into Tardieu's barrels and aged in his cellar. The results are artisanal Rhône cuvées with a New World bent. I recently tasted through some of the stunning recent releases from this "Haute Négoce."