Rhône Theme

Timed Online Auction, 2 - 12 February 2024

Rhône | International & South African offering
About the Session

The first sale of the 2024 Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auction calendar is an exciting Rhône valley and Rhône-style offering and has fast-become one of the most popular at Strauss & Co Fine Wine Auctions. 


Sold for

ZAR 5 277
Lot 154
  • Tardieu-Laurent; Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Spéciale; 2007; 3 (1 x 3); 750ml


Lot Estimate
ZAR 5 000 - 7 000
Selling Price
Incl. Buyer's Premium & VAT
ZAR 5 277

About this Item

2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Spéciale
3 (1 x 3) 750ml

Tardieu-Laurent is a French négociant enterprise known for the consistently high quality of its wines, which come from the Rhône Valley and from other parts of southern France. It was set up in 1994 by Dominque Laurent and Michel Tardieu, though is now run solely by the latter.

The company has no vineyard holdings. Rather, it buys young wines, which are then matured and blended before bottling. Despite this, Tardieu-Laurent is very much an artisan producer – around 20 barrels only are made of each wine every year.

While the cellars are located in the Luberon, the wines fall under various red and white Rhône appellations, including Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Cornas and Côtes du Rhône. Tardieu-Laurent also make a Tavel rosé and a red Bandol.

Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

‘This is gorgeous, with wood spice and tobacco notes leading the way for a massive core of black Mission fig and warm currant preserve flavors. This has the opulent fruit of the vintage, but maintains an edgy minerality as well. The long finish ripples with lavender and black tea.’ – James Molesworth, Wine Spectator, 95/100 (Nov 2009)

‘A 100% Grenache cuvee from the sandy soils of a 106-year-old, biodynamically farmed La Crau vineyard, and aged in both foudre and tank, the 2007 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Speciale is amazing. Abundant notes of melted licorice, kirsch liqueur, and flowers is followed by a full-bodied, seamlessly constructed wine with sensational purity, texture, depth, and length. The bad news is there are only 2,000 bottles. This 2007 should drink well for two decades or more.’ - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate, 94-96/100 (Oct 2008)

‘Opaque ruby. Highly perfumed bouquet of red and dark berry preserves, flowers, fruit pit and sassafras. Sweet, palate-staining black raspberry and mulberry flavors are framed by velvety tannins and become spicier and more energetic on the back end. Big and gripping but surprisingly graceful wine with very good finishing lift and precision. This saw no new oak.’ – Josh Raynolds, Vinous, 93/100 (Nov 2009)

‘Full bodied and concentrated, with a long, chewy finish, this wine gets points for being complex as well. It's plummy yet savory, with touches of braised beef, coffee and black olive.’ - Joe Czerwinski, Wine Enthusiast, 92/100 (Oct 2011)

View all Tardieu-Laurent lots for sale in this auction