Madiran Argile Rouge 2017 by Château BOUSCASSE 75 cl

Description

Argile Rouge 2017: a unique terroir producing a great Madiran

A pioneer of precision viticulture in the South-West, Alain Brumont has devoted several decades to identifying Madiran’s finest terroirs. The Argile Rouge cuvée comes from an exceptional plot situated on a subsoil of red clay resting on fissured rock – a particularly rare terroir that lends the wine a more delicate texture and remarkable finesse. The vines, around forty years old, are planted at high density to encourage natural concentration in the grapes.

The blend comprises 33% Tannat, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Cabernet Franc and 1% Fer Servadou. The grape varieties ferment together in wooden vats with a long maceration period and regular punching down to gently extract colour, aromas and tannins. The wine is then aged for 12 to 14 months in oak barrels, some of which are new, giving it depth, elegance and ageing potential.

The colour is an intense garnet red. The nose reveals aromas of blood orange, black cherry, blackcurrant, caramelised red fruits, cocoa, liquorice and black pepper. On the palate, the attack is full-bodied, with fine, silky tannins supported by a lovely freshness that balances the wine’s richness. The finish is long, lingering and delicately oaky.

Served at between 16 and 18 °C, this Madiran is the perfect accompaniment to duck breast, a rack of lamb, Bigorre black pork, flank steak with shallots, confit veal shank or mature cheeses.