2021 Tardieu Laurent Cornas
Grape
Serine Syrah, Syrah
Its Origins
Domaine Tardieu-Laurent was established in the Rhone Valley in 1994. It was originally a partnership between the dynamic young winemaker Michel Tardieu and one of the hottest names in Burgundy, Dominique Laurent. Today it is owned and run solely by Michel and his oenologist son Bastien Tardieu. Tardieu-Laurent is an extremely unusual operation in that they are a négociant only, buying wines in their raw state from growers all over the Rhône, which they mature and blend before bottling. They own no vineyards and don't buy grapes, only wine. But they are still very much an artisan or 'micro' negociant, making between just two and 20 barrels of each wine. The quality is unmatched due to the incredible fruit sources, critical to which are long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with a network of producers owning specific, top quality parcels. The Tardieus know the vineyards and parcels by heart, and most are extremely low-yielding old vines grown with biodynamic farming. Intervention is minimal with a focus on accurate translation of terroir and vintage. None of the wines are fined and only a few have a very light filtration. For years now Michel and Bastien have favoured large oak foudres, preferring slow, measured exposure to oxygen. The naturally-restricted volumes result in increased complexity and intensity. These are world-class wines which thoroughly deserve their international acclaim.
What The Critics Say
17/20 Jancis Robinson MW
"Fairly deep crimson. Firm, focused, intense nose. Juicy start – unusually juicy for a Cornas! Really rather an attractive drink already. Sweet with balsamic flavours. Salty finish after a smorgasbord of umami, meaty flavours. Very refreshing and not that alcoholic. Lovely already but a really atypical Cornas. Clean but not that long finish. Seems to me it’s a lovely northern Rhône Syrah without necessarily being a Cornas. Vines aged 60–100 years in Les Savaux, Les Chaillots, Les Reynards and Patou. One-third whole bunch. Aged for 12 months in new and one-year-old barrels then a further 12 months in foudre. Cask sample." Drink 2023 - 2032
93/100 James Suckling
"Scented nose here with dark cherries, blueberries, currants, violets, grilled meat and baking spices. Full-bodied with plush tannins and fresh acidity. Dense, creamy and compact with bright fruit at the center and a harmonious structure shaping the mid-palate. Precise and more spicy towards the long finish. Drink or hold."
93/100 Decanter, Matt Walls (2019 vintage)
"The bottling previously known as 'Coteau', which has since dropped its cuvée name. The iron tang in the fruit certainly points this towards Cornas in origin, the bloodiness of the tannins. Full-bodied, but no heaviness, this has a good sense of freshness and vibrancy to the fruit, and a long finish. The alcohol is raised, as is typical for the vintage, but it's not heavy or raisined. Long. Oak is kept in check. Drink young."
| Variety | Shiraz / Syrah |
|---|---|
| Region | Rhone |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Alcohol | 13.00% |
| Maturity | 2024 - 2036 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
We deliver throughout New Zealand and to some locations overseas. Our deliveries are made by trusted third party carriers. For further details on prices and delivery options please go to DELIVERY INFORMATION section of our site.
If for any reason you are not entirely happy with your order or you suspect that they may be affected by a quality issue, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will remedy the problem straight away. Contact us on 0800 422 767.
