2021 Tardieu Laurent Hermitage Blanc
Grape
80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne
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
18/20 Jancis Robinson MW
"Real honeysuckle nose. Floral top notes. Some sinewy raciness here – long and exciting. Should age well. Though it is already pretty lovely. More depth to it than the Condrieu 2021. 80% Marsanne (vines aged over 50 years), 20% Roussanne (vines aged over 40 years). From Pierrelles, Beaume, Murets and La Croix. Aged for 12 months in new and one-year-old barrels then a further 12 months in Stockinger foudre. Cask sample." Drink 2024 - 2040
93/100 Vinous, Nicolas Greinacher
"The 2021 Hermitage Blanc blends 80% Marsanne with 20% Roussanne. Aging took place for one year in new and second-fill barriques, followed by another year in Austrian oak foudres. Swirling the glass unlocks vivid lemon peel, yellow apple, pear, honeysuckle and discrete cedar. Medium- to full-bodied and slightly viscous in texture, the 2021 is a powerful Hermitage Blanc with good drive on the complex finish. Drink 2024-2031"
95/100 Decanter, Matt Walls (2022 vintage)
"Ripe, open and expressive, with honeyed mango and honeysuckle. Very full-bodied and creamy in texture, smooth like puréed mango. A rich, opulent style, with balanced acidity and well-integrated oak, making for an impressive, grand wine. From lieux-dits Les Pierrelles, Les Beaumes, Les Murets and La Croix. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation in barrels (new and one-year-old), where the wine spends one year, followed by a further year in Stockinger foudres."
| Variety | Marsanne |
|---|---|
| Region | Rhone Valley |
| Closure | Cork |
| Volume | 750ml |
| Alcohol | 13.50% |
| Maturity | 2024 - 2040 |
This Wine Goes Well With
Taste
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