Madiran Constance Domaine Berthoumieu 2016

Madiran Constance Domaine Berthoumieu, rustic, dark cherries, full bodied, earthy. Madiran is classic vin de terroir, an intriguing rustic earthiness, flavours of dark cherries, figs and pepper. Made from a blend of Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinenc (Fer Servadou), the basic Madiran from Domaine Berthoumieu punches well above its weight and offers plenty of southern french character and genuine quality at this price. Madiran is a great vin de garde and even this wine will cellar over 5-6 years and develop in something very hearty and expressive. Drink with strong meat dishes, game, terrines, ‘Pot au Feu’ and Cassoulet.

There have been vineyards in Madiran or Vic-Bilh (to give its original dialect name) since the 3rd century and, in the Middle Ages, pilgrims en route for Santiago de Compostela appreciated the wines.

Many producers believe that true Madiran has to be near to 100% Tannat but the appellation allows other grapes like Fer Servadou (called pinenc locally) and Cabernet Sauvignon in there. There are several fine growers in Madiran at the moment and Didier Barré ranks in the first echelon. These wines are perfect expressions of the notion of terroir – they are true to themselves, uncompromising and will develop in their own time. He even has a few rows of gnarled and knobbly 100 year old + Tannat vines. The local dialect uses the word Pacherenc – derived from paishet for 'posts in a row.' This refers to the modern method of planting vineyards in regular rows, using a post to support each vine. Vic Bilh is the name for the local hills that are part the Pyrenees foothills, along the Adour River south of Armagnac.