Domaine Labranche Laffont Madiran Tradition 2017

In 1992, Christine Dupuy took over running a six hectare estate from her father and now works about 50 hectares in the Madiran AOC in Gascony near the Pyrenees. She now owns some of the few Tannat vines that pre-date phylloxera with some vines around 150 years old. As a member of an organic collective of growers in the region, called A Bisto de Nas, she has been orienting her plots toward more biodynamic and low-interventionist methods. This is a nuanced take on Tannat, intense and leathery without being taxing, wild and earthy with a refined floral nose and generous dark fruits. Opens up with a bit of air!

Region: Madiran

Growing Area: Clay-limestone hillsides

Farming: Certified organic

Varieties: 60% Tannat, 20% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

Fermentation: In a temperature-controlled vat with pump-overs

Aging: 18 months in concrete vats with around ⅓ raised in old barrels

Filtration: Unfined and lightly filtered

Sulphur: Minimal

Alcohol: 14%