chateau bouscassé vielles vignes 1998

"property of alain brumont, also at the head of the château montus, bouscassé is one of the great names of madiran. in 1979, alain brumont left the family estate of château bouscassé and bought the château montus. it completely modifies the vineyard (other rootstocks, selected plants...) and is inspired by the bordeaux style, aging its wines in small new oak barrels. in 1982, he made his first wine with three-year-old vines. this success marked the beginning of madiran’s worldwide reputation. a few years later, he took over the management of the family estate, château bouscassé. the wines of both wineries are vinified at château montus. it is thus the largest owner of the appellation (with nearly 180 hectares) and has the most beautiful plots. the cuvée vieilles vignes is the great wine of bouscassé, aged on its lees between 14 and 16 months in oak barrels, neither glued nor filtered. the tannat that makes up 100% of this cuvée has benefited from a clay-limestone soil that gives the wine richness and freshness. a regulated fermentation at 28°c, a maceration of 3 to 6 weeks and a malolactic fermentation in new barrels make up the stages of vinification. at the tasting, this dense and complex wine charms us with its depth and intense aromas of black fruits, spices and licorice. its ample and generous mouth, with powerful and well integrated tannins, lingers and calls for equally rich accords. enjoy on duck confit or braised beef."