Vineyards and winemaking
Cuvée Spéciale 2007 is made entirely from Grenache grown in the sandy soils of La Crau. The biodynamically farmed vines were around 106 years old at harvest, their deep roots and naturally tiny yields giving remarkable concentration while preserving the perfume and finesse of the variety.
The wine was matured in a combination of large foudre and tank, an élevage chosen to preserve the purity of the old-vine Grenache rather than cover it with oak flavour. Production was exceptionally small, at around 2,000 bottles.
Tasting notes
Appearance
Deep garnet-ruby with a mature brick tint at the rim.
Nose
Kirsch, blackberry and dried plum are layered with melted liquorice, rose petal, smoked meat and sun-warmed garrigue.
Palate
Full-bodied and seamless, with concentrated red and black fruit carried by fine, resolved tannins. Grenache's sweetness of fruit is balanced by savoury herbs, pepper and a mineral undertow, leading to a long, generous and complex finish. This is a mature wine: stand upright well before opening, extract the cork slowly and decant only after tasting; bottle variation is natural.
Food pairing
Serve with slow-roasted shoulder of lamb, venison and juniper casserole, duck confit with lentils, or a Provençal vegetable gratin. Its mature spice and savoury warmth also suit a firm ewe's-milk cheese.
Background story
Michel Tardieu founded Tardieu-Laurent as a micro-négociant, building relationships with growers who farm exceptional old vineyards across the Rhône. The house does not depend on owning vines; its identity rests on rigorous sourcing, sensitive élevage and a close reading of each site.
Cuvée Spéciale is one of the clearest expressions of that philosophy: a minute parcel selection from ancient La Crau Grenache, made in an outstanding southern Rhône vintage. Its rarity, purity and mature provenance place it firmly among the house's fine and rare releases.
