Château Peyros Vieilles Vignes Madiran 2016 (South West) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely red wine from the Madiran appellation in the South West of France that arrived at the LCBO earlier this month as part of the July 10 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

Chateau Peyros was built in the 17th century. It's name "Peyros" means "stony place" in the local language of Gascony and is very representative of its terroir. The Madiran vineyards of Chateau Peyros are located in the Haut Béarn region in South West, France, in the heart of Vic Bilh - or "old country" in the local dialect. The Madiran region is shaped by Pyrenean moraines, with a succession of South-North oriented valley and slopes that have an East-West exposure.

However, Chateau Peyros is unique in that it has a very specific terroir and micro-climate. Chateau Peyros sets itself apart by planting their vines over a significant rocky mass, while also having the only vineyard with a fully southern exposure, thus allowing their grapes to reach greater maturity and higher quality. The soils are a mix of rolled pebbles and clay known as pouzzolanes.

Today, Chateau Peyros is part of Maison Léda, an independent, family-owned company that specializes in the distribution of premium French wines and spirits. Maison Léda was established by the Lesgourgues family in 1982 to better control and develop the distribution of the family's Armagnacs and wines, including Chateau Peyros. Their cellars are one of the most modern in the appellation. They are also moving towards sustainable agriculture and have reduced the use of chemicals by more than 40% since they took over the property.

The 2016 vintage is a blend of 60% Tannat and 40% Cabernet Franc from old vines averaging 40 to 50 years of age. The vineyard is located at the southernmost end of the Madiran appellation and has rolled pebble with some gravels on a clay, silty soils. It was fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged in on oak barrels (50% new) for 15 months. I've tasted and enjoyed previous vintages of this red wine, and expect this to be just as good. Let's see how this 2016 Madiran is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CHÂTEAU PEYROS VIEILLES VIGNES MADIRAN 2016 - AC, South West, France (#234997) (XD) - $23.95
This blend of 60% Tannat and 40% Cabernet Franc from 40 to 50 year-old vines has rich, intense, and ripe dark black fruited aromas with spice, wood, and hints of stony minerals rising out of the glass. On the concentrated, full-bodied palate it has a complex mix of dark fruits, currant, blackberry, wood spice, earthy, and stony mineral flavours supported very good, juicy acidity. Structured, fine-grained, and slightly drying tannins are integrating very nicely. Dark fruits with mineral and earthy notes linger on the long finish. I like the approachability and balance at this stage, but it will reward handsomely with some time in the cellar and drink well to at least the end of the decade. Score: 91 pts

Other lovely wines from Chateau Peyros can be ordered through their Agent - Profile Wine Group.