Tardieu-Laurent Côtes-du-Rhône Guy Louis Rouge
A vintage blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (generally in that order) made with a significant proportion of declassified single Cru fruit.
Farmed organically (recent low yields attest to that), the juice is vinified with around a third whole bunch. The wine spends around 10 months in second and third use old barrels and around eight months in foudres.
"Organic. 60% Grenache (50 years old), 25% Syrah (40 years old), 15% Mourvèdre (30 –40 years old). Fruit from: Lirac, Rasteau, Vacqueyras, Beaumes de Venise, Cairanne, Roaix. Ten months' ageing in one- and two-year-old barrels then eight months in foudres (Tronçais and Allier).
Slightly muddy crimson – a little paler than Les Becs Fins. Also sweeter and a little herbier and less intense. Arguably more ‘new wave’ and definitely more backward. No shortage of alcohol and tannin! I would cellar this for a while."
16.5 points, jancisrobinson.com (September 2018)
"Singed anise and black tea notes lead the way, backed by a core of raspberry coulis. The well-focused finish reveals a flicker of shiso leaf. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre."
89 points, Wine Spectator (November 2019)
"Always a terrific wine, the 2017 Côtes du Rhône Guy Louis (60% Grenache, 25% Syrah and the rest Mourvèdre brought up in once- and twice-used foudres) offers impressive notes of cassis, dried flowers, and spice, with just a hint of background oak. Drink this medium-bodied, elegant 2017 on release and over the following 4-5 years."
(89-91) points, jebdunnuck.com (August 2018)
