1998 Tardieu-Laurent Vacqueyras Vieilles Vignes

Maison Tardieu-Laurent was started in 1994 as a partnership between Dominique Laurent, a former pastry chef who re-fashioned himself as maker of “garagiste” Burgundy, and winemaker Michel Tardieu, a Rhone Valley negociant. Today it is solely owned by the Tardieu family. Located in Lourmarin, in Southern France, the domaine makes wines from nearly every southern and northern Rhone Valley appellation. It produces Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Cornas, Cote Rotie, Gigondas, Hermitage and Vacqueyras, among other wines.

Vacqueyras AOC is in the Southern Rhone Valley and runs along the banks of the Ouvèze River. It received its appellation status 1990, having been part of the AOC Côtes du Rhone appellation since 1937. Some 97 percent of the wine made in Vacqueyras is red, and like its neighbor to the north, Gigondas, Vacqueyras is known for its powerful wines. There are 3,200 vineyard acres planted to Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre, Cinsault, Muscardin, Counoise, Clairette and Bourbolenc. Vacqueyras reds are dark, spicy, tannic and considered good for aging.