  QCD finite energy sum rules, together with the latest updated ALEPH data on
hadronic decays of the tau-lepton are used in order to determine the vacuum
condensates of dimension $d=2$ and $d=4$. These data are also used to check the
validity of the Weinberg sum rules, and to determine the chiral condensates of
dimension $d=6$ and $d=8$, as well as the chiral correlator at zero momentum,
proportional to the counter term of the ${\cal{O}}(p^4)$ Lagrangian of chiral
perturbation theory, $\bar{L}_{10}$. Suitable (pinched) integration kernels are
introduced in the sum rules in order to suppress potential quark-hadron duality
violations. We find no compelling indications of duality violations in the
kinematic region above $s \simeq 2.2$ GeV$^2$ after using pinched integration
kernels.
