2000 Domaine Capmartin Madiran Cuvée du Couvent

Community Tasting Notes (4) Avg Score: 91.5 points

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  1/10/2020 - Tannatastic Likes this wine: 92 Points

  A slightly nostalgic moment, as this wine was one of a number of bottles that were amongst my initial purchases of Madiran 13 (or more) years ago. The bottle I consumed in 2016 was probably at the apex of the drinking window, but this was still a lovely bottle.
  
  Its fascinating to observe a 20-year old wine looking so youthful. The Tannat still almost purple at the core, only showing some colour fading/bricking at the rim when held up under direct light. The nose is still dark fruit with raspberry, and the oak influence has almost disappeared into the background.
  
  On the palate, the tannins have gone beyond powdery, and are almost 'clumpy' - I'm trying to find an apt descriptor, though words are failing me, but they were either absent from a mouthful of the wine or quite present, but in bits. The bottle had been stood for days and then carefully decanted, so I'm sure it wasn't sediment. Acidity is still prominent, but it felt a little less 'elegant' than last time out.
  
  Drinkin Madiran is surely a case study in deferred enjoyment, but again and again I can only conclude it is worth it.

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  2/11/2016 - Tannatastic Likes this wine: 94 Points

  The late, great Simon Hoggart once wrote of Madiran that "some best kept secrets are fated to remain best kept" because of the length of time it takes for them to show themselves. I can think of no better description for this wine.
  
  Its still looks so young, with that dark, deep brooding almost purple colour.
  
  As for the nose... oh what a nose! Reminiscent of high quality Barolo, or perhaps a more powerful younger Bordeaux, it's exquisite. Dark cherry jam, raspberries and some blackcurrant. The oak has integrated so well in the last few years, leaving a touch of sweet vanilla in the background.
  
  On the plate, the tannins have mellowed considerably, leaving a smooth mouthfeel. More cherry and black fruit on the palate, with a cocoa and vanilla finish. The acidity is fantastic with food, and leaves me feeling confident that this can last a good few years yet.
  
  Wonderful stuff, and an absolute steal at just over 10 euros a bottle a decade ago.

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  4/10/2014 - Tannatastic Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Superb stuff. This wine just goes on and on.
  
  Starting to loose a little of its deep brooding looks, but still really youthful for it's 14 years.
  
  With some good air (a couple of hours) secondary flavours are emerging, still with wood, blackcurrant and forest floor.
  
  From this bottle I'd wager that the wine has a good few years in it, and dare I say it the potential to evolve even more? Here's hoping.

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  11/1/2011 - Tannatastic wrote: 89 Points

  Madiran. The constant enigma. Trying to time the correct drinking window is like trying to sculpt water. I'm definitely on the cusp of it here, and I think it'll be hitting perfection in 3-5 years.
  
  So anyway...
  
  An incredibly dark wine, but with immense clarity, like the night sky on a freezing cold, cloudless winters night. No signs of age are yet apparent. The nose is slightly reticent, but its clearly promising lots of fruit and the New Oak is so apparent its like being sat in the cellar patting the barrels whilst drinking it. Theres a real solid mouthfeel to it, though it wears its alcohol well (perhaps with an ever so slight kerosene after burn). But theres bags of fruit and oak, and that distinct Madiran-ness thats very hard to put into words.
  
  Worth revisiting in the next couple of years to see the progress. 89, with a flirtatious, garter-glimpsed promise of 90+ in the not too distant future.

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