Product Review
In the mid-seventies, I paid a visit to the rustic appellation of Madiran, several hours south of Bordeaux. I met proprietor Alain Brumont, but had no way of knowing at the time that he would emerge as the appellation's most energetic and quality-driven producer.
Brumont has always produced very good wine for near-term drinking, but the 1995 Montus Cuvee Prestige, a 100% Tannat (the local grape), aged in 100% new oak, is a wine for drinking around 2010 or later. In fact, most readers would be advised to buy this wine for a child born in 1995, as opposed to purchasing it for personal consumption. As the grape's name implies, it is a tannic wine, although this is not a wine that is harsh and astringent without the balancing fruit. The color is an opaque black. The wine possesses a magnificent, sweet, pure nose of cassis, black plums, and subtle new oak notes. Extraordinarily deep and full-bodied, with layers of concentrated, jammy fruit, a formidable tannin level, and a monster finish, this is unquestionably o
Tannat is characterized by its firm tannin structure, deep color, high alcohol and its ability to age well. The aroma profile is gently tarry and redolent of stewed red berries.
South West France consists of a number of varied of sub-regions. Excluding Bordeaux, it encompasses but is not limited to: Bergerac, The Cotes de Duras and Cotes de Marmandais at the very north; Cahor and Gaillac in the northeast; the Cotes de Gascogne in the center with Madiran just below, and finally Jurancon and Irouleguy in the southwest. While the varieties that form the white and red Bordeaux blends are common, the region is also home to a number of indigenous and unique varieties.
Red wine is wine made from dark-coloured grape varieties. The color of red differs based on the grapes variety or varieties used.Interestingly, black grapes yield a juice that is greenish-white. The actual red color comes from anthocyan pigments (also called anthocyanins) from the skin of the grape (exceptions are the relatively uncommon teinturier varieties, which produce a red colored juice). Most of the production centers around the extraction of color and flavor from the grape skin.
