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B-21 Top Recommendation
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From an excellent Rhône vintage boasting "a wealth of beautiful wines" according to Jeb Dunnuck, these top-scoring 2020 Tardieu Laurent selections offer Rhône fans and collectors a bounty of outstanding values, meticulously crafted by legendary négociant winemaker Michel Tardieu and his son from low-yielding, old vines throughout the Southern Rhône.
The elegant 92-point 2020 Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes is "full-bodied, smooth, well balanced and harmonious" according to Decanter's Matt Walls, while Jeb Dunnuck calls the 2020 Rasteau Vieilles Vignes a "ripe, textured, textbook Rasteau to enjoy over the coming decade," both wines mostly Grenache from 60-year-old vines with 20% Mourvèdre and 10% Syrah from 40-year-old vines. Described as "a showstopper" by Dunnuck that's not to be missed, the 95-point 2020 Gigondas Vieilles Vignes offers rich, concentrated fruit scented with classic garrigue, a blend of mostly Grenache with 5% Mourvèdre from vines ranging up to 100 years and 5% Syrah over 40 years of age, while from the North, the "full-bodied, richly textured" 100% Syrah, 93-point 2020 Tardieu Laurent Cornas comes from vines ranging from 60 to 100 years old, both promising to age gracefully over the next decade and beyond. The muscular 95-point 2020 Châteauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes comes from Grenache vines ranging from 80 to 100 years of age and Mourvedre and Syrah from 60 to 80 years and is "incredibly impressive" according to Dunnuck.
With a challenging 2021 vintage following on its heels, Rhône fans and collectors can rely on these top-rated, impeccably sourced, old-vine selections to overdeliver value, this full range of gems represents a terrific opportunity to stock up on a sure thing from a master of Rhône terroir at unbeatable bargain pricing. |
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Ripe and succulent, this is laden with a mix of linzer torte, blackberry and mulberry flavors that hold center stage from start to finish. This is also driven by a buried graphite note and flanked by alluring black tea and singed anise, with late mineral and shiso leaf hints leaving an alluring echo. Built for the cellar. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Best from 2024 through 2040. 450 cases made, 150 cases imported.
95 points, James Molesworth, Wine Spectator (Feb 2023)
A beautiful aromatic display of blackberries, raspberries, black olives and wild thyme present exuberantly on the nose. Though a bit austere, the palate is refreshed by an abundance of energy, brisk acidity and lushness. Further complexity and integration can be expected with cellaring through 2035+.
95 points, Anna-Christina Cabrales, Wine Enthusiast (Dec 2023)
The 2020 Châteauneuf Du Pape Vieilles Vignes is darker and more powerful, with some smoky oak as well as notes of ground pepper, garrigue, and assorted blackberry and darker plum fruits. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it's concentrated, has ripe tannins, and just about perfect balance. It's incredibly impressive but needs to be forgotten for 3-4 years at a minimum, which is rare for a 2020.
94 points, Jeb Dunnuck (Nov 2022)
Camphor, menthol and plum. This is concentrated, but nicely compact and has intensity and tension. It's also seriously tannic, though the tannins are ripe. A powerful, muscular and potent Gigondas. Drinkable young with a côte de boeuf, but could provide some complexity and intrigue with age.
93 points, James Suckling (Sep 2021)
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