Tardieu-Laurent 2017s – rare jewels

As Richard recovers from his first week's researches into the 2017 vintage in the Rhône Valley, and as UK importer Corney & Barrow make their annual offer of Tardieu-Laurent's wines, I publish my tasting notes on these 22 offerings from one of the Rhône's most accomplished négociants. 

Michel Tardieu and his son Bastien run their Lourmarin winery in the Lubéron, depending on long-standing relationships with what they call their 'partner vignerons' throughout the Rhône Valley. Old vines, large oak and a bit of whole-bunch fermentation characterise their dramatic but...