July 15, 2023 - The normal Bouscassé is already excellent, but the Vielles Vignes is indeed a notch up.
This 1995 V.V. demonstrates it is mostly greater complexity, depth and finer texture while losing nothing of its power and size. All the while the extraction is not forced at all and the wine is fresh and cool which makes it very drinkable. The best Madiran I have drunk yet (and that includes Montus Prestige '98).
December 23, 2022 - This bottle (which according to my CT inventory didn't exist!) was even better than the previous. Most of the descriptors from a year ago still apply but the acidity and tannins were less marked and the overall impression more fragrant and inviting without losing old fashioned Madiran character. Not decanted and not apparently diminished by that. A good pairing for venison accompanied by Soissons beans. Very good.
March 11, 2022 - Corked
November 7, 2021 - I've has some disappointments with bottles of Montus and Bouscassé from the 90s, mainly excessive brett, but this one is a very good example of traditional Madiran, a far cry from Brumont's more international and crowd pleasing offerings from the mid-00s onwards. I decanted this but it was quite austere, if distinguished, at first with strong acidity and tannins backing up some classy and savoury red and dark fruit laced with wet leather and earthy minerals. As the bottle progressed it filled out and and developed some underlying roundness and warmth making the acidity and tannins seem to soften. It was noticeable than about a glassful left in the bottle after decanting had not developed in the same way. Therefore I would recommend decanting a good time in advance. Very good.
February 2, 2019 - Encore tout en jeunesse au départ, en bouche, les tanins sont fermés, presque durs et plutôt court. Toutefois, un trente minutes d aération le rend de plus en plus souple. Les tanins sont plus fondus, la bouche est plus équilibré et démontre plus de corps. Fort agréable à ce moment. Un deux heures de carafe nous aurait sûrement permis de le voir sur un autre jour.
April 12, 2018 - UWS; A mixed set of wines (@ JB): Corked
September 25, 2017 - Dark purple garnet in the glass. Raspberry and leather on the opulent nose. Medium plus acidity surrounds the palate of raspberry, leather, and cassis. The aggressive tannins of youth have been time-tamed down to an approachable medium (we’re twenty-two years on, after all). Drink up! It’s delicious! Merci, Mssr. Brumont.
February 6, 2016 - 50 - 100 year old Tannat wines, and like the Montus Prestige this is a very long lived wine. From a bottle in perfect condition this is still youthful but the potential is clear. Beginning to drink - will get better and last 20 years.
January 18, 2015 - bouteille épaulée pendant 6 heures. Couleur rouge brique, note de fruits noir avec un coté animale, feuilles morte et tabac. Tout est bien fondu, de beaux tanins rendu soyeux avec une légère touche de bois qui balance le tout, belle longueur.
December 28, 2013 - Dark leather and brooding fruit at first impressions. This has mysterious exotic Moroccan spices , black spiced plums and cigar box. Tasting very much like a pauillac and in fact a pichon baron I thought. A serious wine.