2023 Futures

Neither quite Saint-Émilion nor quite Pomerol, the inimitable Cheval Blanc occupies a special place on the right bank, on the famous gravelly terroir of the Figeac plateau. Inimitable because its wines subjugate in a perfect alchemy between freshness, subtlety and hedonism, the whole on tannic frames at the same time refined and melting, between silk and cashmere.

Impossible to resist the unspeakable complexity of its bouquet, floral and fruity, spicy and liquorice, as well as the incredible depth of its fresh and sumptuous finish. Great art, all the glory of Cabernet Franc on a limestone hillside. Alain Vauthier and his children, Pauline and Édouard, manage the 7 hectares of Ausone like a (very) great Burgundy wine. Magistral!

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2021 Revue du Vin de France guide.

Predominantly Marsanne (vines over 50 years old), a Crozes-Hermitage Vieilles Vignes dry white wine, aromatic (apricot, peach, frangipane...) and fat, with a judicious touch of bitterness on the finish.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2021 Revue du Vin de France guide.

Saint-Péray Vieilles Vignes: 50% marsanne (with 100 years old vines!) and 50% roussanne. On a background of honeyed and toasted notes, intense aromas of white flowers and quince, the freshness is well present and, in the mouth, the vivacity balances the roundness.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2021 Revue du Vin de France guide.

Saint-Joseph Vieilles Vignes, with a dominant of marsanne, comes from 30 to 40 years old vines.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

A blend of grenache, roussanne, clairette and bourboulenc, this white Châteauneuf plays the card of freshness and discretion. With aromas of white peach and orange blossom, its natural power will be fully expressed after 5 to 6 years of aging.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

100% Viognier (45 years old), from the best terroirs of the appellation. A Condrieu that is restrained, expressive and complex but without exuberance.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

Splendid Hermitage white wine, 80% Marsanne and 20% Roussanne, with aromas of peach and acacia honey, with a characteristic touch of marzipan.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

Thanks to vines (Syrah) 60 years old, Michel Tardieu produces a 'grand' Crozes-Hermitage. Divided between fruit and minerality, in a round and silky style more Burgundian than Rhodanian, a perfect introduction to the Hermitage's wines.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

This Saint-Joseph Vieilles Vignes is a perfect balance between the gourmet raspberry/cherry fruit (as in Hermitage) and the mineral tension of the schist and granite subsoil (as in Cornas). Syrah and serine (small syrah), aged 60 and over 100 years respectively.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

Cornas from Syrah and small Syrah aged 60 years minimum. The austerity due to the schistose soil is perfectly balanced here by Michel Tardieu's talent as a breeder. A model for the northern Rhône.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

The rare Cuvée Vieilles Vignes is uncompromising, with Syrahs aged from 80 to over 100 years on two plots of land on the hillside, vinified 75% in whole clusters. Expect at least 15 years of cellar ageing.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2021 Revue du Vin de France guide.

A new cuvée created in 2017, a Côte-Rôtie Vieilles Vignes from the heart of the hillside on the major terroirs of the Côte Brune. Phenomenal concentration, energetic tannin, a compact but refined wine, to wait at least 10 years before considering tasting.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

More roundness and flesh than Côte-Rôtie, with a texture of fatty and melting tannins, the solar side of the Hermitage hillside is perfectly highlighted here.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2021 Revue du Vin de France guide.

The Côtes-du-Rhône Cuvée Spéciale is made with Grenache, a wine with soft tannins and a fruity character.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

Blend of Grenache aged 80 years, Syrah (40 years) and Mourvèdre (40 years), on the clay-limestone slopes of Rasteau, a fleshy, generous wine, typical southern Rhône.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes: a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre, firm and earthy vigour, in a style comparable to that of the Gigondas.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

Built like a "small" Châteauneuf-du-Pape, this Gigondas is just as velvety, just as fruity, but slightly softer. Very strong majority of grenache (vines aged from 60 to more than 100 years), completed with syrah and mourvèdre.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

In addition to his classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Michel Tardieu produces a cuvée Vieilles Vignes, a blend of grenache (80 to over 100 years), mourvèdre (60 to 80 years) and syrah (50 years), more tense and spicier (pepper, clove, laurel), an interminable finish, a wine of great style and long ageing potential.

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

In addition to his classic Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Michel Tardieu produces an original cuvée, the Cuvée Spéciale, 100% century-old Grenache, which is incredibly rich and voluptuous. A superlative wine aged in barrels in barrels of at least one wine (no new barrels to best express the sweetness of old grenaches).

Since 1994, Michel Tardieu has been selecting and growing wines from very old vines and from the best terroirs of each appellation. Associated until 2007 with Dominique Laurent, known for the concentration of his Burgundy wines, Michel Tardieu has, because of the innate richness of the Rhone Valley wines, always sought to favour elegance and aromatic complexity in his selections.

Promoted two stars in the 2022 Revue du Vin de France guide.

A true Bandol, almost pure Mourvèdre, taking with ageing accents of Cabernet Sauvignon. Very long ageing potential (20 years or more).

PSI (Peter Sisseck Initiative?) is the wine of a group of producers brought together by Mr. Sisseck according to precise specifications: tempranillo plots at least 30 years old, necessarily biodynamically grown, gentle extractions, long macerations and maturing practically without wood. A superior fruity wine, fine and with a great tannic softness.

Amazing story as that of Dominio de Pingus. Created in 1995 by Peter Sisseck, a Danish (!), this estate a few kilometres from Vega Sicilia has become a cult in less than 15 years.

Flor de Pingus is the second wine, coming from the Dominio de Pingus and neighbouring parcels acquired by fermage, 100% tempranillo 35 to 50 years old, biodynamic since 2005. Delicious and elegant, Flor is a modern vision of Ribera del Duero.

Amazing story as that of Dominio de Pingus. Created in 1995 by Peter Sisseck, a Danish (!), this estate a few kilometres from Vega Sicilia has become a cult in less than 15 years.

Pingus is the great wine, made from the 4 ha of the estate, 100% tempranillo aged 70 years, biodynamic since 2000. 450 cases per year (an average yield of 10hl/ha, not counting small vintages, such as the 2002, totally downgraded in Flor de Pingus).