Chateau Bouscasse and Chateau Montus Untutored Tasting Flight, Friday 11th February 2022

Madiran is Gascony’s great red wine made from the Tannat grape whose reputation as a tannic wine that needs plenty of ageing has been challenged by a growing number of Madiran vignerons.

Foremost amongst these pioneers in the revival of Madiran is Alain Brumont ‘The tamer of grape varieties and creator of great wines’ who has dared to make Tannat more approachable when young. Alain has become something of a legend in winemaking by wresting Tannat into beautiful iconic wines. His landmark Château Montus and Château Bouscassé wines have garnered international plaudits from the wine critics.

It is not only his hearty red Madirans that get the Brumont treatment, he also makes Pacherenc du Vic Bilh white wines using native grape varieties to produce both sweet and dry wines. It is largely as a result of his Chateau Bouscassé Jardins Philosophique, that Pacherenc Sec has become more widely known. His dessert wines are exceptional and great value and can hold their own against many of France's better known stickies.

As it’s still the depths of winter we’ll be breaking with tradition and serving a hearty bowl of cassoulet and crusty bread to accompany your tasting.

Aperitif: 2020 La Gascogne d'Alain Brumonnt Gros Manseng/Sauvignon – Fresh and aromatic.

Flight:

2016 Château Bouscassé Les Jardins Philosophiques, Pacherenc Sec - Fresh and vibrant with aromas of meadow flowers, exotic fruit. Full bodied and smooth

2014 Château Montus, Pacherenc Sec - Petit Courbu, Petit Manseng grapes are barrel fermented in demi-muids. a stunning wine with great minerality.

2016 Château Bouscassé, Madiran - Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Aromas of blackberries and a delicate fruitiness with well-integrated tannins. Nicely balanced and full-bodied on the palate.

2012 Château Bouscassé Vieilles Vignes, Madiran – Tannat vines are between 50-100 years old and wine is aged in new oak for 14-16months. The resulting wine is a distinguished elegant sleek wine with good ageing potential.

2016 Château Montus - Tannat and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes aged in oak for 12 months. This wine upset the hierarchy of red wines back in 1985 and was noticed all over the world and nicknamed by some critics as ‘the Petrus of the Southwest'. Smooth and deep with fine tannins, a controlled power and an elegant lingering finish.

2000 Château Montus Prestige – Tannat grapes are aged in new oak for 14-16 months. This wine made big waves again in the wine world in 1985 when it performed better than many of Frances top wines at tastings and placed it firmly in the limelight. A rich opulent wine with subtle complex fruit and great depth.

2017 Vendémiaire, Pacherenc du Vic Bihl Moelleux - Petit Manseng and Petit Courbu Vielles Vignes grapes from vines that are over 50 years old. Super concentrated almost candied fruit flavours that come from partially vine dried grapes. Aromas of mango and apricot and good acidity leads to a clean finish.

Cost: £36 per person

The tasting flight includes an aperitif on arrival, 7 x 50cl pours of wine, cassoulet and a set of tasting notes.