TN: Hourquet Madiran 2009

[Waiters Friend]

G'day

This is one of two bottles of this wine gifted from a deceased estate. Tannat dominant, if not 100%. Decanted 30 minutes before service.

Purple in colour and little sign of age. The nose is (not surprisingly) fully developed, with stewed black plums, blackberries, leather, and the fruits taking a back seat to savoury notes and meaty, ferrous characters.

These are reflected on the palate. Tannins are considerable, and dominate the palate. More leather and less fruit, and acid is high. Moderate length (largely because the fruit is dropping out).

It would have been interesting to see this wine a decade earlier, although I suspect the tannins would still be powerful. It's fading in the glass as I write, after a short burst of optimism

Cheers
Allan

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[Ian S]

Madiran very much a 'red meat' sort of wine in youth. The tannins legendary.

This co-op is pretty big IIRC, but not without quality.

I do like the leathery tertiary aromas, so this would probably be prime drinking for me. Even at this stage, it sounds like it needed steak, a beef stew or something similar to handle those tannins.

Ch. Montus has been my 'go to' for Madiran over the years. Well worth a try if you've not tried it. Another that impressed was Domaine Berthoumieu's Charles de Batz.

[Waiters Friend]

Madiran very much a 'red meat' sort of wine in youth. The tannins legendary.

This co-op is pretty big IIRC, but not without quality.

I do like the leathery tertiary aromas, so this would probably be prime drinking for me. Even at this stage, it sounds like it needed steak, a beef stew or something similar to handle those tannins.

Ch. Montus has been my 'go to' for Madiran over the years. Well worth a try if you've not tried it. Another that impressed was Domaine Berthoumieu's Charles de Batz.

You're right, Ian, and this was intended to accompany a steak. It didn't quite make it that far, and the remainder of the bottle (and the second bottle) cleaned the drains. I also quite like the leathery notes of aged reds, but it was the fruit diminishing in the glass as I tasted it that confirmed my decision.

[Chuck]

Pertaringa did a tannat that was tight as a drum for many years. Lost bottle from about 12 years ago was opened and my tasting notes are similar. Jet black in colour. There was a thick sludge at the bottom of the bottle.

Agree a steak wine.