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).
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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.
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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.
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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.
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7/15/2023 - Member 592 Likes this wine:
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).
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12/23/2022 - eboracum Likes this wine: 92 Points
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.
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3/11/2022 - Zweder wrote: flawed
Corked
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11/7/2021 - eboracum Likes this wine: 91 Points
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.
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2/2/2019 - Renevin Likes this wine: 90 Points
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.
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