Famille Tardieu has become one of the best micro-negociants in the Rhone Valley. Nowadays, Bastien and Michel explore the vineyards to find grapes from very old vines, often located in the historical heart of each appellation. Then the link is made with the wine-grower, from the vine to the harvest.For a wine to carry the Condrieu AOC name it must be made from 100% viognier. This is the home of viognier, where it is produced most famously, in the northern Rhone Valley. The 2018 vintage Condrieu from producers, Tardieu-Laurent, has been warmly received by critics. The wine is rich and round, having spent 10 months in new and 1 year old French oak. Floral aromas come first, followed by creamy, plush peach, honeysuckle, melon and tropical notes, treading a line between the very rich, and leaner styles of Condrieu.

Michel Tardieu is a micro négociant-éleveur, based in Lourmarin, Provence, producing wines from the Northern and Southern Rhone. The winemaking is now in the hands of his very talented son Bastien, who is making some of the most exciting and expressive wines from the Rhone valley and beyond. Exceptional fruit and hands off approach allow the wines to express their unique terroirs in their greatest glory. Limited production

Michel Tardieu is a micro négociant-éleveur, based in Lourmarin, Provence, producing wines from the Northern and Southern Rhone. The winemaking is now in the hands of his very talented son Bastien, who is making some of the most exciting and expressive wines from the Rhone valley and beyond. Exceptional fruit and hands off approach allow the wines to express their unique terroirs in their greatest glory. Limited production

Tardieu-Laurent is a family-run micro-négociant, founded in 1994, known for sourcing grapes from old vines across the Rhône region and crafting expressive, terroir-driven wines with minimal intervention. The Côtes-du-Rhône Cuvée Spéciale is made predominantly from 95% old-vine Grenache (approximately 70 years old), with a small addition of other varietals (5%). Sourced from vineyards on the borders of the AOC Châteauneuf, on the Courthézon side, the wine is fermented with 100% whole bunches and aged for eight months in 2- and 3-year-old barrels, followed by a further ten months in foudres. A stunning expression of Grenache, this wine showcases the finesse and aromatic complexity that come from carefully matured old vines. Sweet spices and grenadine dominate on the nose and palate, with a silky texture and subtle elegance enhancing its overall charm.

Tardieu-Laurent Rasteau 'Vieilles Vignes' Côtes-du-Rhône Villages A vintage blend of Vieilles Vignes or old vine Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre (generally in that order) from the Rasteau AOC. Farmed organically (recent low yields attest to that), the juice is vinified with around a third whole bunch. The wine spends around 10 months in second and third use old barrels and around eight months in foudres.

Michel Tardieu is a micro négociant-éleveur, based in Lourmarin, Provence, producing wines from the Northern and Southern Rhone. The winemaking is now in the hands of his very talented son Bastien, who is making some of the most exciting and expressive wines from the Rhone valley and beyond. Exceptional fruit and hands off approach allow the wines to express their unique terroirs in their greatest glory. Limited production

Michel Tardieu is a micro négociant-éleveur, based in Lourmarin, Provence, producing wines from the Northern and Southern Rhone. The winemaking is now in the hands of his very talented son Bastien, who is making some of the most exciting and expressive wines from the Rhone valley and beyond. Exceptional fruit and hands off approach allow the wines to express their unique terroirs in their greatest glory. Limited production

Michel Tardieu is a micro négociant-éleveur, based in Lourmarin, Provence, producing wines from the Northern and Southern Rhone. The winemaking is now in the hands of his very talented son Bastien, who is making some of the most exciting and expressive wines from the Rhone valley and beyond. Exceptional fruit and hands off approach allow the wines to express their unique terroirs in their greatest glory. Limited production

Maison Tardieu-Laurent was founded in 1994 by Michel Tardieu and Dominique Laurent in the small but beautiful village of Lourmarin in Provence, although today it is completely in the hands of the Tardieu family and is one of the premier wine producers of the Rhone. This is from the famed appellation of Chateauneuf-du Pape and boasts all of the fabulous flavour attributes that this region can offer. The cepage is mourvedre, syrah and grenache. The wine exhibits savoury red fruit, a regional earthiness and hallmark silky tannins. Tardieu-Laurent are regarded as one of the consistenly high performers of the Rhone Valley.

Michel Tardieu is a micro négociant-éleveur, based in Lourmarin, Provence, producing wines from the Northern and Southern Rhone. The winemaking is now in the hands of his very talented son Bastien, who is making some of the most exciting and expressive wines from the Rhone valley and beyond. Exceptional fruit and hands off approach allow the wines to express their unique terroirs in their greatest glory. Limited production