“’Michel Tardieu is now emerging as one of the very best negociants in the Rhône Valley. Accompanied by his son, Bastien, they roam the vineyards to find the very finest grapes, most often produced from very old vines. Each appellation presented offers a very high level of expression, magnified by a powerful and elegant notion of breeding. 2010 offers playback of a concentrated vintage that will require some years of cellaring to reveal itself. As for 2011, the wines present exemplary balance and high quality breeding. Particular mention should be made of the Châteauneuf-du- Pape Vieilles Vignes sourced from the heart of la Crau, a fabulous and historic terroir; in the same vein, the very great 2011 Saint-Joseph.'”

Le Guide Bettane & Desseauve des vins de France 2014 has awarded Maison Tardieu-Laurent:

• The finest progression of the year from 4 BD to 5 BD
• Best wines of the year with Saint-Joseph Vieilles Vignes 2010
• Top 50 wines for cellaring with the Châteauneuf-du Pape-Cuvée Spéciale 2010
• Top 50 wines for less than 8 euros with the Côtes-du-Rhône Becs Fins Blanc 2010

The 2014 edition of Betthane & Dessauve has just awarded Maison Tardieu-Laurent its fifth “BD.” What does this mean?

• 1 BD: Indicates a serious production, recommended, consistent with what one is entitled to expect of the Appellation
• 2 BD: Indicates a serious production, recommended, more uniform and homogeneous than the previous
• 3 BD: Indicates a high quality production that can serve as a reference in the appellation
• 4 BD: Indicates the producers of very high quality, who are the glories of French vineyards
• 5 BD: Indicates the outstanding producers who represent the highest quality in France and around the world Tardieu-Laurent is one of only six domaines from the Rhône and the single négociant (with no owned vineyards) to receive a 5 from Bettane and Desseauve. The full list of these top Rhône producers is: Jean Louis Chave, Chapoutier, Guigal, Georges Vernay, Rayas, Tardieu-Laurent.