La Manche Wine Circle - Southwest France

Six wines from the Southwest corner of France tasted blind and decanted chez Ian and Catherine at La Bloutière. We took a gastronomic tour as well as an oenological one this time with a seemingly endless supply of tasty and well-matched dishes in the Tapas style and to finish-off these great Southwest reds a well-chosen hearty regional dish – Poulet Basquaise. Many thanks to our wonderful hosts Catherine, Emma, Becky, Jessica and Carina. The tasting panel, as well as the usual experts Shipley, Tovey, Garrick, Humphreys and Hilyer, was joined by M. Dominic André, whose observations were very much appreciated.

A gift from a viticulteur friend of his 2005 primeur from the famous appelation a month before the public gets a sniff of it - many thanks Alain and Beatrice!!!

• 2005 Alain Béal Beaujolais

  France, Burgundy, Beaujolais

  Juicy and spicey Beauj showing more depth of fruit and concetration than expected - still unbottled and very young.

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• 2001 Château Bouscassé Madiran

  France, Southwest France, Madiran

  Sanguine, black-red robe showing a broad plum rim. Concentrated and powerful nose - sweet, black fruits, nice oakiness. Blackcurrants on a firm, chewy structure with a long, sweet finish. Spices and pepper evolving with the ripe fruits. Big, strong and built to last but drinking very well now. A real crowd pleaser!

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• 1998 Barde les Tendoux Côtes de Bergerac

  France, Southwest France, Dordogne, Côtes de Bergerac

  Deep dark-red robe with ox-blood rim – showing more maturity than the Bouscassé. Wonderful nose of oak and complex fruit and floral notes. A lovely honey sweetness over wild fruits. Dominating the palate the tertiary flavours produce a full-bodied mature flavour supported by soft, supple tannins. A slight coarseness with a dry finish.

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• 2002 Château Viranel Saint-Chinian

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Saint-Chinian

  This Languedoc wine slipped under the wire into an all South-West tasting but made an interesting contrast to the fuller bodied wines. Cherry-red robe with light rim. Lots of fruity and secondary aromas with some pepper and mineral notes and a nice fresh leafy appeal. Soft and smooth on the palate, fruity and splicey with a light brief finish. Great with the Tapas and reminiscent of a light Crozes Hermitage or Beaujolais Villages.

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• 2002 Domaine Brana Irouléguy Harri Gorri

  France, Southwest France, Pays Basque, Irouléguy

  Ruby red ‘Ribena’ robe. Mineral, earthy nose – more terroir than fruit. Some interesting secondary alcohol aromas but lacking concentration. Fresh acidity – green apples and cinnamon. A soft, round country wine. Definitely interesting enough to explore further this tiny and little known appellation.

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• 2001 Château Laffitte-Teston Madiran Joris Laffitte

  France, Southwest France, Madiran

  Mid-cherry robe with brick red rim developing. Terroir and farmyard aromas with vanilla and alcohol aromas very prominent. Light body – soft tannins, some fruit esp. cherry giving way to a spicey or peppery shortish finish. A bit flat. Ready for drinking now. Second wine of Laffite Teston.

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• 2002 Château Haut Sarthes Montravel

  France, Southwest France, Dordogne, Montravel

  Dark cherry-red robe with purple(ish) tints. Oak, vanilla and spice dominate the nose over fruit and boiled sweets. Some liquorice with a medium palate. Slightly bitter but spicy, strong and structured. Finish – good but short. Might develop further in the cellar.

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Every wine was interesting in its class and the big Madiran and Bergeracs were real contenders for Grand Vin status. Above all incredible value for money with most wines priced below 10 euors retail.