Appellation: Saint-Joseph, located on the west bank of the Rhône River, is a narrow strip of land approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) long linking Condrieu and Côte-Rôtie in northern Rhône. Many of the nearly 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of vineyards that produce Syrah, Marsanne and Roussanne are grown on granite river banks.

Vine Age: 50 years and older

Vinification
Barrel Aging: In new French oak (Allier and Tronçais)

Tasting Notes
More mineral than fruity, this delicate wine has a subtle, almost Burgundy-like structure, with fresh and pronounced acidity.

• 2010 Chateaneuf du Pape Cuvee Speciale (search item no. 122333)
• 2010 Chateaneuf du Pape Vielles Vignes (search item no. 122335)
• 2010 Gigondas Vielles Vignes (search item no. 122331)
• 2010 Guy Louis Cotes du Rhone (search item no. 120040)
• 2010 Hermitage (search item no. 122327)
• 2010 Les Becs Fins Cotes du Rhone (search item no. 116839)
• 2010 Vacqueyras Vielles Vignes (search item no. 122332)

Tardieu-Laurent is very much an "artisan" producer, making between half a dozen and 20 or so barrels of each wine. The majority of the wines are from the southern Rhône although superb cuvees of Cote Rôtie and Hermitage are also produced. The wines are all aged in small oak casks (often 100% new) and bottled with no fining nor filtration. Michel Tardieu proclaims himself as a confirmed terroirist, insisting that his aim with each appellation is to express powerfully the fruit and sense of place, never masking these factors with wood.