2007 Tardieu Laurent Cuvee Speciale Cotes du Rhone

More stand out '07 Rhones
Yet another new discovery, Tardieu-Laurent is a negociant founded in 1994 as a partnership between Michel Tardieu, (who among other jobs has served as a driver for French Presidents) and Dominique Laurent, owner of a negociant firm in Burgundy. Today Michel Tardieu runs the firm on his own. He takes advice from the enormously influential Philippe Cambie, who also happens to be the Rhone consultant behind most of the 2007 Southern Rhones we've offerred to date.

If you've enjoyed our previous shipments, you will be suitably impressed by these wines
This top notch Cotes du Rhone is produced from 100% Grenache sourced from 80 year old vines located in the Chateauneuf du Pape district of Cotes du Rhone. The wine is matured in one & two year old Alliers & Troncais Barriques. Winemaker Michel Tardieu is ably assisted by famed Rhone consultant Philippe Cambie, who has once again added
his magic touch to this legendary vintage. Tasting Note....
Deep dark crimson red colour with dark crimson mauve hue. The nose displays lifted notes of raspberry, macerated cherry and spice followed by some new leather end notes. Medium to full bodied with flavours of spicy black cherry and black raspberry followed by some blackpepper with an earthy new leather overlay. Very fine grained well integrated tannins with long aftertaste of black cherry, spice and new leather.
Cellar 3-4 years (2013-2014).
Alc 14.5% Other Reviews….
A stunning effort, the 2007 Cotes du Rhone Cuvee Speciale was fashioned from 80-year old Grenache vines planted in the Coudoulet section, adjacent to Chateauneuf du Pape. It exhibits classic aromas of melted licorice and kirsch liqueur, full-bodied power, impressive concentration, and a layered texture. A traditionally-styled southern Rhone that tastes more like a Chateauneuf du Pape than a Cotes du Rhone, it should drink nicely for a decade or more. This wine is a super bargain.
90-93 points
Robert Parker – The Wine Advocate