Michel Tardieu's future might have seemed perfectly mapped out, when he was working as a civil servant and tending vineyards in the Rhone Valley in his spare time. But in 1996 he decided to take a giant leap and concentrate on his passion by going into partnership with Burgundy wine négociant Dominique Laurent. Together, they established Maison Tardieu-Laurent in Loumarin in the heart of Michel's native Provence. Since then, they have both worked hard to track down the best vineyard plots in the Rhone terroir. And thanks to a meticulous and skilful barrel-maturing process they produce wines with excellent ageing potential. Today, Michel Tardieu still works as a négociant and consultant oenologist but has been joined in the business by his children Bastien and Camille.

This Côte-Rôtie is a blend of Syrah grapes grown on the terroirs of Landonne, Chavaroche et Lancement. Vinified without destemming, they are then matured for a year in both new and used barrels. To taste, the wine masterfully brings together brightness, concentration and maturity. How could you resist its rich bouquet, rich as it is in notes of smoke, black olive and violet?