Country: France / Vieilles Vignes
Variety: Rhône-style Red Blend Rhône Valley
Winery: Tardieu-Laurent / Rasteau
The poster child for Tardieu’s winemaking style is this 2009 Rasteau. It features masses of luscious oak—toasted coconut, cedar, vanilla—with just enough raspberry fruit to support it. It’s full bodied and lushly textured, even a bit dessert-like despite being totally dry. Probably best consumed on its own over the next few years.