Showing posts with label tannat. Show all posts
Showing posts with label tannat. Show all posts

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  • Date publishedThursday, July 29, 2021

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

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 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...

Château Peyros Vieilles Vignes Madiran 2016 (91 pts)

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.


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  • Date publishedMonday, June 24, 2019

Bodega Garzón Reserva Tannat 2016 (Uruguay) - Wine Review

It is widely accepted that the greatest wines in the world are found where a grape varietal finds the ideal conditions to express itself in a natural and authentic way. As such, I am reviewing a delicious Tannat that has found a home in, of all places, Uruguay. This delicious red wine will be coming to LCBO VINTAGES on .

This wine is made with the Tannat grape varietal by Bodega Garzón, a producer that was awarded the 2018 New World Winery of the Year by Wine Enthusiast. Bodega Garzón, located in Maldonado in southeastern Uruguay, was founded by Argentinean businessman Alejandro Bulgheroni and his wife Bettina to have their family dream come true of a winery of modern viticulture in Uruguay with personality and a sense of belonging to the land. With the advice of international eonologist Alberto Antonini, Garzón's philosophy is focused on producing wines that are a true expression of their origins.

Uruguay is recognized worldwide for Tannat, a variety that has become the iconic grape of the country given its unique, velvety flavour and the countless international awards it has received. In fact, it is now produced in greater quantities in Uruguay than in Southwest of France, where this varietal originated. Located at the same latitude as Argentina, Chile, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, the temperate climate favours growing grapevines throughout Uruguay.

At Bodega Garzón, the vineyards are located close to the Uruguayan Atlantic coast at 160 m above sea level and are influenced by the fresh breeze of the Atlantic Ocean. The geology of Garzón belongs to what is known as the Crystalline Basement, which gave origin to the oldest soils on the planet more than 2.5 billion years ago. When those rocks are altered and broken down naturally over millions of years, a fantastic soil of weathered rock is formed, called Ballast. These ballast hills have excellent drainage and several minerals that are absorbed by the roots of the vine, making wines vibrant, energetic and complex, turning Garzón into a suitable place for specialized viticulture.

Bodega Garzón Reserva Tannat 2016 (90 pts)

Tasting Note:

BODEGA GARZÓN RESERVA TANNAT 2016 - Uruguay (#558916) (D) - $21.95
Fermented in cement tanks and aged for 6 to 12 months on the lees in French oak barrels and casks. Medium+ intensity aromatics are quite stony mineral driven, layered atop red and black fruits, black currant, and herbs, accented with some peppery spice aromas. The full-ish bodied palate is ripe with more dark berry, herbal, spice, and subtle wood flavours. Nicely textured with some some stony characters on the mid-palate adding nuance. Acids are fresh, while the refined tannins are approachable, supple and have some structure. Some bitterness with dark chocolate and hints of black plum notes on the long after taste. Recommended buy to enjoy over the next 5+ years. Score: 90 pts


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  • Date publishedWednesday, August 7, 2013

Pierre Laplace Madiran 2009 (Southwest) - Wine Review

Purchased this red wine last December from the annual Vintages "Festive Season" release and opened it over the weekend. It's no longer available.

PIERRE LAPLACE MADIRAN 2009 - AC, Southwest, France (#103705) (XD) - $14.95
Photo of 2009 Pierre Laplace Madiran from Southwest, France
Tasting Note:
Blend of 80% Tannat and 20% Cabernets. Oak and raisin aromas from the cork. Medium-high intensity plum and black fruit aromas from the glass. Palate is medium-full bodied with plum, raisin, sweet blackberry, licorice and light spice flavours. Fruit is ripe with smooth, integrated tannins. Mouth-watering acidity and medium-length finish. Easy drinking.


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