The tiny Madiran wine region in southwest France may not be on your radar, but it should be. While small in size and lesser-known in reputation, the area’s wines are rich, complex and ideal for aging. If you like Bordeaux, Madiran wines are for you.
Alain Brumont is the region’s rock star. He arrived when Madiran winemaking was in its infancy and built it to be a wine-producing powerhouse. Now, Brumont is on the verge of retirement. He’s currently producing his last vintage, and sharing the stories behind it.
But as the next generation comes in, his winery is in good hands. Brumont’s son grew up in the vineyards, but also trained under some of the wine world’s most iconic makers, including Drouhin, Guigal, and Walter Scott.
All factors that make an excellent case for drinking Chateau Montus, one of Brumon’ts most iconic bottlings. He initially saw this plot high in the Madiran appellation and took a chance planting it with Tannat grapes.
The vines have grown beautifully, and now, the wines are elegant and elongated. The Brumont family ages wines 36 months before releasing them, and they’re all exquisitely drinkable by the time they arrive in your bottle.
Expect dark chocolate and fruit on the palate with medium-grain tannin, deep complexity and a long finish. $130
Kate Dingwall is a WSET-trained sommelier and spirits writer. Her work has appeared in Wine Enthusiast, Eater, Forbes.com, and Food & Wine, and she pours wine at one of Canada’s top restaurants.