The debut vintage from this new negociant operation, 1994, gives considerable promise for the success this firm is likely to enjoy. I was very impressed with Tardieu-Laurent's 1994 Chateauneuf du Pape. Aged in 50% new oak casks, this is a structured, full-bodied, richly concentrated Chateauneuf offering up copious amounts of black cassis fruit, a chewy texture, considerable power, and light tannin in the finish. It requires 1-2 years of cellaring, and it should keep for 10-15 years.This wine was tasted between June 1 and June 16, 1996.None of the 1994 and 1995 wines reviewed in this section had yet been bottled, but since they are bottled barrel by barrel, with no fining or filtration, the notes should be relatively reflective of the different qualitative levels.