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Chateau Bouscasse

Chateau Bouscasse is one of a number of properties owned by Madiran's Alain Brumont, the most significant other being Chateau Montus. Brumont is a blend of the conventional and the innovative, a sort of unification of the Rothschilds and Didier Dagueneau. His inspiration for his wines was Bordeaux; he returned from that more northerly region to Madiran in 1979, with a new determination to make high quality wines, oak influenced, with the necessary structure for the cellar. He is a strong-willed individual, and has implemented new practices in order to make the wine he desires; he has high density plantings of up to 8500 plants/hectare, fertilised with home-made compost, a combination of manure with pomace and ground rocks. The fruit sees green harvesting, 100% de-stemming, new oak and no micro-oxygenation, a common practice in many Madiran properties.

Over the years Brumont has built up an impressive empire, accounting for more than a tenth of the Madiran AC vineyard area. I think it is fair to say that Brumont is almost - if not entirely - single-handedly responsible for saving Madiran, a name which described just 15 hectares of vineyards in the immediate period following World War Two. His wines have shown the potential of Madiran and its lonesome grape, Tannat. In an era where anything other than Cabernet and Chardonnay struggles for a moment in the limelight, we should be grateful for figures like Alain Brumont.

At Chateau Bouscasse there are three main cuvées. Two are red, a straight Chateau Montus Madiran as well as a Vieilles Vignes bottling. The former is predominantly Tannat, with a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc making up the balance. The old vines cuvée is 100% Tannat. In addition there is a sweet white wine, Pacherenc du Vic Bilh, made from the local white grapes, Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng. (30/5/05)

Contact details:
Address: 32400 Maumusson-Laguian
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 62 69 74 67
Fax: +33 (0) 5 62 69 70 46

Chateau Bouscasse - Tasting Notes

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Chateau Bouscasse Madiran 2001: Ripe, dense, red-black hue, which has lost the purple of youth but has yet to show any maturity. Ripe, spicy, dark fruits in the nose, and still showing some sweet oak. Surprisingly approachable palate, full of ripe, sweet, primary fruit enveloping a core of ripe, fine tannins. This has lovely structure, piles of lush texture and sensible extract. Delicious liquorice and blackberry nuances of flavour. Still very primary, but not at all as unassailable as I had imagined. Lots of potential here. Drink now or over the next ten years I think. 16.5+/20 (May 2005)

Chateau Bouscasse Madiran 1996: Great colour; almost black at the core with a maturing, deep red rim. The nose is initially all maturing, perfumed, smoked meat; with time, though, it offers up bitter chocolate and black olives. The palate also needs time in the glass to develop; starting off hollow, it picks up in terms of concentration and impact with a few hours. It shows a little sweetness, good mouthfeel and a balanced structure. But it has a short, slightly bitter finish. Good flavour and character though. I expect this will improve further in cellar. Very good. 16.5+/20 (May 2005)