Vin Doux Naturel Vieilles Vignes
⏳ Drinking Window
2022 - 2032
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Blue cheese, Dark chocolate desserts, Roasted figs
✨ Technical Specifications
Tardieu-Laurent's Vin Doux Naturel Vieilles Vignes is a spectacular homage to the historical fortified wines of the southern Rhone, particularly from the Rasteau appellation. The heritage of Vin Doux Naturel in this region stretches back to the Middle Ages, closely linked with the Knights Templar who established vineyards in the area. Crafted from remarkably old Grenache vines, this wine utilizes the traditional process of mutage—arresting fermentation by adding neutral grape spirit to preserve the natural sweetness of the grapes. Tardieu-Laurent applies their signature micro-negoce precision, aging the wine in select oak casks to develop a remarkably complex profile rich with notes of macerated dark cherries, dried figs, cocoa, and sweet baking spices, balanced by a robust structure and refined tannins.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 1994 by Michel Tardieu and Burgundian vigneron Dominique Laurent, Maison Tardieu-Laurent redefined modern Rhône Valley micro-négociant elevage. Operating from subterranean cellars in Lourmarin, Provence, the house is directed by Michel alongside his son, enologist Bastien Tardieu. Rather than owning extensive vineyards, the family cultivates close, long-term partnerships with elite growers across both the Northern and Southern Rhône, specifically contracting low-yielding, old-vine parcels rooted in granite, galets roulés, sand, and limestone soils. Tardieu-Laurent takes delivery of raw, fermented must or young wines in barrel, overseeing an uncompromising élevage regime. While initially famed for pioneering whole-cluster fermentations raised in new Allier and Tronçais oak, the house has progressively shifted toward larger neutral foudres and demi-muids, eschewing fining and heavy filtration. Benchmark cuvées such as their old-vine Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Hermitage, Saint-Joseph, and Côte-Rôtie are praised for their seamless concentration, mineral precision, and authentic regional terroir expression.
🍇 Grapes
Grenache