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.

The old Syrah vines of Le Pavillon, 90 to 100 years old, are located on the Bessards plot (4 ha), on a granite subsoil; Le Pavillon is the name of a small house on this plot. The harvest, 100% manual and destemmed, is done in a concrete vat. Only free run wine is used for this single parcel cuvée, which will be aged for 18 to 20 months in oak barrels (30% new). With an intense and deep red hue with purple tints, Le Pavillon develops a slightly smoky nose, accompanied by aromas of blackberry, plum and liquorice. The highly complex palate, which is powerful, velvety and balanced, offers a lingering finish and notes of tobacco and liquorice. A wine with wonderful ageing potential.