Domaine Berthoumieu, Madiran Cuvée Charles de Batz
Year
2005
Size
Standard
Bottle Price
£11.99
Notes - Madiran is Gascony’s great red wine and Domaine Berthoumieu has produced wines that further strengthen this reputation. Almost black in colour, the Cuvée Tradition has powerful aromas of red, black and candied fruits; quite rich and dense in the mouth but nevertheless open and fruity without excessively drying tannins. The Charles de Batz (D'Artagnan's pseudonym when in hiding form the cardinal's men) is oaked in 50% new barriques to impart a smooth nutty flavour. The wine is composed of 90% Tannat with 10% Cabernet Sauvignon from vines that are at least 50 years old. The wine displays notes of black fruit (blackcurrant and blackberry) along with just a hint of red fruit. There is a cedar-like creaminess to the oak which is extremely well-integrated. Tannins pick up on the finish which are softened by rich, meaty dishes - winemaker Didier Barré recommends his wine to go with red meats and regional dishes such as 'magret' or potted duck, 'entrecote' of beef in Bearnaise sauce, 'salmis' of pigeon and cheeses from the Pyrenees.