96 points,

Rhone Report, The, February 2010

Wow. Seeing a touch of new and 1 year old oak barrels, the 2007 Tardieu-Laurent Châteauneuf-du-Pape Cuvée Spéciale is 100% Grenache and shows awesome aromatics of cassis and blackberry fruit, garrigue, raw meat, graphite and floral aromas. The purity and precision on the nose are truly remarkable. The palate is full bodied with perfectly ripe, decadent fruit, fresh acidity, a pure, precise texture and a long finish. Very impressive. This stood out in a blind tasting of top wines. I'd drink these over the next 10 to 15 years. - Jeb Dunnuck

94 -96 points,

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, October 2008

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. Michel Tardieu, assisted by the brilliant oenologist, Philippe Cambie, has fashioned gorgeous low-end Cotes du Rhones that merit serious attention.

93 points,

Stephen Tanzer's IWC, February 2009

($85; 100% grenache from La Crau) 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.

92 points,

Wine Enthusiast, October 2011

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. Drink 2013-2023.

95 points,

Wine Spectator, November 2009

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. Grenache. Best from 2010 through 2023. 1,250 cases made. -JM

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