WTN: Three Healthy French Reds
Posted: Sat Jul 14, 2007 2:44 am
High in 'procyanidins', the wines from Madiran in the South of France by being extolled for their healthy qualities, particulary the wines made with the Tannat grape.
I got to taste three, all made by Alain Brumont, and I would also extol them for their delicious taste.
Alain Brumont Torus 2004
Deep purple red. Concentrated blackcurrant and blackberry aromas with a dark savoury layer and deep, dark, savoury flavours with lush spicy oak, velvety tannins, concentrated blackberry and blackcurrant fruits and a tarry depth. Powerful, but not overpowering with a smoky finish and hints of liquorice and chocolate, this modern well-made wine is a blend of 50% Tannat, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc with 12 months in oak (50% older barrels, 50% oak vats). 14% alc. NZ$25.
Chateau Bouscasse 2002
Deeper purple black. Meaty, earthy, dried herb aromas with seasoned oak and hints of blackberry then in the palate cassis and sweet cedary oak cruise above an earthy, wild bramble backbone. It shows some maturity, the powerful tannins are dry, and pepper, liquorice and fruitcake spices linger on the bright, lifted finish with the dried herb characters coming through again on the lingering aftertaste. Full-bodied and intense with a French rusticity throughout, it's made from 65% Tannat, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc with 12-14 months in 1-2 year old oak. 14% alc. NZ$31.40.
Chateau Montus 2002
Ever deeper, inkier in colour with a deep, dark, tarry, savoury aromas, this 100% Tannat wine is powerful with concentrated, macerated red and black berry fruits that cut through the initial upfront tannins. It's a lush, full-bodied wine with sweet vanillin oak, black fruits, tar, hints of liquorice, chocolate and spice and although the tannins are big, there is a whimsical beauty throughout. Modern and clean, I have to confess that if I had tasted this blind I probably wouldn't have initially picked it as coming from France! Matured in oak (60% new, 40% one year old) for 12-14 months. 14.5% alc. NZ$44.50.
Imported into New Zealand by http://www.lifestylewines.co.nz - the website has lots of interesting 'Madiran wine is good for your health' information too.
I got to taste three, all made by Alain Brumont, and I would also extol them for their delicious taste.
Alain Brumont Torus 2004
Deep purple red. Concentrated blackcurrant and blackberry aromas with a dark savoury layer and deep, dark, savoury flavours with lush spicy oak, velvety tannins, concentrated blackberry and blackcurrant fruits and a tarry depth. Powerful, but not overpowering with a smoky finish and hints of liquorice and chocolate, this modern well-made wine is a blend of 50% Tannat, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Cabernet Franc with 12 months in oak (50% older barrels, 50% oak vats). 14% alc. NZ$25.
Chateau Bouscasse 2002
Deeper purple black. Meaty, earthy, dried herb aromas with seasoned oak and hints of blackberry then in the palate cassis and sweet cedary oak cruise above an earthy, wild bramble backbone. It shows some maturity, the powerful tannins are dry, and pepper, liquorice and fruitcake spices linger on the bright, lifted finish with the dried herb characters coming through again on the lingering aftertaste. Full-bodied and intense with a French rusticity throughout, it's made from 65% Tannat, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc with 12-14 months in 1-2 year old oak. 14% alc. NZ$31.40.
Chateau Montus 2002
Ever deeper, inkier in colour with a deep, dark, tarry, savoury aromas, this 100% Tannat wine is powerful with concentrated, macerated red and black berry fruits that cut through the initial upfront tannins. It's a lush, full-bodied wine with sweet vanillin oak, black fruits, tar, hints of liquorice, chocolate and spice and although the tannins are big, there is a whimsical beauty throughout. Modern and clean, I have to confess that if I had tasted this blind I probably wouldn't have initially picked it as coming from France! Matured in oak (60% new, 40% one year old) for 12-14 months. 14.5% alc. NZ$44.50.
Imported into New Zealand by http://www.lifestylewines.co.nz - the website has lots of interesting 'Madiran wine is good for your health' information too.