Château Montus Madiran 2018
Château Montus
Alain Brumont's Tannat-based Madiran is a masterclass in taming a notoriously tannic grape. The 2018 vintage shows power and polish in equal measure, with new oak integrated so thoroughly it reads as structure rather than flavor. This is a wine that hides its considerable muscle behind elegance.
Kit Aromas
Nose
Blackcurrant and dark cherry lead, backed by cedar and a hint of violet. A toasted oak note adds complexity without heaviness, and there's a subtle green herbal quality in the background.
Palate
Dense and structured, with ripe berry fruit and cedar tannins that are firm but finely woven. Mint and dark cherry carry the mid-palate, and a woody spice anchors the finish approach.
Finish
Long and grippy, with blackcurrant, cedar, and a dusting of toasted oak that slowly resolves.
- Varietal
- Tannat
- Blend
- 80% Tannat, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Vineyards
- Château Montus estate vineyards, clay-limestone soils at 300m elevation
- Alcohol
- 14.5%
- Organic / Biodynamic
- No
Food Pairing
Braised lamb shoulder with rosemary and white beans
Crafted by Alain Brumont at his estate in the Madiran appellation of southwest France, this wine is the product of his four-decade campaign to prove Tannat can rival the great Cabernet-based wines of Bordeaux.
Be the first to comment.
Leave a comment
Domaine Gramenon Côtes du Rhône La Sierra du Sud 2022
Domaine Gramenon
Gramenon's La Sierra du Sud is a benchmark for what natural, biodynamic Rhône winemaking can achieve — purity of fruit without artifice. Michèle Aubéry-Laurent farms old-vine Grenache with obsessive care, and the wine reflects that direct connection between hand and vine. A serious Côtes du Rhône that overdelivers.
Heitz Cellar Martha's Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Heitz Cellar
A classically scaled Napa Cabernet that prizes structure and site-voice over power — patience will be richly rewarded.
Domaine Gramenon Côtes du Rhône La Mémé 2022
Domaine Gramenon
Old-vine Grenache from Montbrison, farmed biodynamically since before it was fashionable. Michèle Aubéry-Laurent's wines consistently punch above their appellation. La Mémé — named for her grandmother — is a generous, honest Southern Rhône red that captures the stony, wind-swept terroir without manipulation.
Château Pape Clément Grand Cru Classé Pessac-Léognan 2019
Château Pape Clément
The 2019 vintage at Pape Clément is one of the estate's finest modern efforts. The wine balances opulence with restraint, offering immediate pleasure while clearly built for aging. It demonstrates how the right vintage year and skilled élevage can produce a wine that feels both generous and precise.