TN: 2007 TARDIEU-LAURENT CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE V.V.

WINE TALK
#1

2007 TARDIEU-LAURENT CHATEAUNEUF-DU-PAPE V.V.

Very deep dark ruby.

Super-ripe, drippingly lush, exotic black cherry, cassis & purple, blue, black fruited nose
Big, fat, fruity & rich. Blackberry, licorice, ripe red cherry, black raspberry, cherry bark & violet. Super-ripe fruit with no over-ripeness whatsoever. Massive very black & purple fruit with minor note of aromatic forest undergrowth & chestnut.

On the palate big, rich, ripe, incredibly deep, dark fruit. The same black & purple fruit - so lush on entry. Amazingly ripe Grenache & the 10% Mourvedre is even showing. Very black cherry, exotic purple & blue fruits. Cassis, too. In fact I’ve never seen this much cassis in a CDP. Fruity & fat but good acid, & tightening up nearing the finish with fairly substantial, long ripe & grippy tannic, fruit infused finish.

Good concentration & length. Impressive & powerful.

Needs a little time, obviously, but with such gorgeous, drippingly lush ripe exotic fruit, I won’t be holding 'til the tannins melt, but drinking in the next 3/4 to 6 years or so for the amazing quality of the fruit on this sexy bitch.

93 Points

Is everyone Loving these '07’s (already!?!) as much as I am???

Cheers!
[basic-smile.gif]

#2

Actually - I own 0 '07 Chateauneufs. Haven’t gotten around to purchasing them - been too busy buying other stuff. I hope to soon try some of my friends though. [basic-smile.gif]

#3

I’ve never had a T-L Chateauneuf, but every other wine of theirs I’ve tried was oaked nearly to death. Is the elevage of the CDP any different, or is it all new barriques?

#4

@Ed,
You’ve got some Great friends, there! Enjoy, and tell them to buy more!!! The state of the market & overall great quality of the vintage = Big Cheers! [drinks.gif]

@Zachary,
Not sure of the elevage exactly, just know what I’m tasting. Certainly not all new oak & Barrique aging, that’s for sure. Definitely not over-oaked.
Although the wine is tannic, the tannins are more than balanced by big, ripe, lush, dark fruit & the wine has excellent balance.
Would have loved to taste the component parts of this wine - I believe the breakdown is 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mouvedre.

#5

From the winery website, it says the wine is raised in 1-year-old barrels. It also confirms the cepage breakdown of 80% Grenache, 10% Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre, and also notes the strong tannins.

http://www.tardieu-laurent.com/les-vieilles-vignes-2007/chateauneuf-du-pape/les-vins-rouges/chateauneuf-du-pape-vieilles-vignes-154.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

#6

Zachary,

Just to be clear - This wine has some significant tannins, as I said in my review, but is in no way, shape or form over-oaked.

I’m not tryin’ to talk you into buying it, I just like to be accurate in my tasting notes.

I have some of the Cuvée Special, too, which I’ll post a note for when I crack one in the next month or so. I expect it to be less tannic - not because of different elevage, but because it’s 100% Grenache.

Cheers!
[basic-smile.gif]