2014 Domaine Tardieu-Laurent Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Speciale VV
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Tasting notes
(made from vines 100+ years old and aged for two years in used demi-muids and foudres ): Vivid ruby. Far deeper and darker in character than the regular Châteauneuf, displaying intense boysenberry, cherry and floral pastille aromas, along with hints of cola and allspice. Smooth and concentrated in the mouth, offering juicy dark berry and spicecake flavors that stretch out and become sweeter with air. Coats the palate but comes off graceful, displaying superb finishing clarity and length and rounded tannins that shape the lusty berry fruit.
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
100% Grenache (100 years old). Mid crimson with a pale rim. Much more gaminess, even slight jamminess, on the nose than in the other offerings from this producer from the southern Rhône. Easy white pepperiness (even though there is no Syrah in the blend!). Yes, it’s more interesting than the other 2014s from this region and producer but I couldn’t recommend that you pay this sort of money for it. A bit of strawberry jam on the beginning and a bit of heat on the end. Not enough to lace it all together. (JR)
The only special cuvée made (there’s no Vieilles Vignes), the 2014 Châteauneuf du Pape Cuvée Speciale is a brilliant looking barrel sample that comes all from the sandy parts of the La Crau lieu-dit. Possessing noticeably more depth and richness than the classic cuvée, it has medium to full-bodied weight, ripe tannin and classic notes of black raspberry, fruitcake, pepper and incense. It too will drink nicely on release but evolve gracefully for 10-12 years.