Maison Tardieu-Laurent was founded in 1996 by Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent, though for many years the business has been the exclusive domaine of the Tardieu family. Today, it is run by Michel, his son, Bastien, and daughter, Camille. When Michel started the business, he would ask the growers he worked with two questions: in their appellation, which producers' wines did they enjoy drinking and if they had some friends or producers with well-located, old vines who might be interested to work with him. The result is an extensive network of “partner vignerons” — farmers with whom the family have long-standing relationships, almost all of whom have enviable holdings of old vines in the northern and southern Rhône’s most prestigious appellations. Today, this word of mouth and handshake model is still how the family conducts their business.

The Tardieu-Laurent Hermitage Rouge is 100% Syrah, with 1/3 whole cluster fermentation, then aged 12 months in new and one year-old barrels, then 12 months in foudre. Full-bodied, generous and soft with intoxicating flavors of black raspberry, licorice, cassis and savory spices. Long, intense finish buttressed by an otherworldly concentration of rich, ripe fruits. Drink now or age a further 10+ years.