2009 Vignobles Brumont Gros Manseng-Sauvignon

Mission Codename: Great White Gascon

Operative: Agent White

Objective: Secure an exclusive allocation of famed winemaker Alain Brumont’s Merlot-Tannat

Mission Status: Accomplished!

Current Winery: Vignobles Brumont

Wine Subject: 2009 Gros Manseng-Sauvignon

Winemaker: Alain Brumont

Backgrounder:

The southwest of France, is home to one of France’s most famous winemakers, Alain Brumont. It is his genius that has tamed the expressive and often overpowering Tannat into a wine that rivals its northern neighbors from Bordeaux. The Gascony region, made famous by Alexandre Dumas and theKing’s Musketeers has tremendous diversity of varietals and its climate is primarily influenced by the Atlantic ocean. Today’s unique and exclusive selection is 50% Gros Manseng and 50% Sauvignon Blanc.

Wine Spies Tasting Profile:

Look – Pale and brilliantly clear golden straw yellow, subtle green tints that shine through its core, and fading to nearly clear at the edges. When swirled, evenly spaced fat legs slowly descend to the wine below.

Smell – Fresh aromas of apricot, citrus and quince lead you in and are followed by classic Sauvignon Blanc notes of stone and soft smoke. Very subtle green herbs and spice also make an appearance on the nose.

Feel – Racy acidity hits right away on this dry and medium bodied white wine and is followed by a touch of spice and creaminess. Soft limestone and chalky minerality adds texture and grasps the fresh fruit.

Taste – Fresh citrus and quince leads the way and is followed by a unique balance of hot spice, subtle toasted nuts and creaminess that is both tasted and felt. Soft white floral, herbal and chalky stone also emerge as you explore this wine.

Finish – Clean, lingering and fresh with with spice and citrus lingering with a touch of creaminess as well.

Conclusion – The 2009 Brumont Gros Manseng-Sauvignon is a delicious and unique wine that will appeal to any lover of Sauvignon Blanc but also those looking for a wine of a little more depth and character, as you’d expect from Alain Brumont. Enjoy this wine with soft and ripe cheeses or Thai food.

Mission Report:

bq Below is a transcript of our original mission when we visited the region in search of Alain Brumont’s famed Madiran AOC, also made with the indomitable Tannat grape.

It was a couple years back that I originally tasted the wines from legendary winemaker Alain Brumont.Agent Terroir was escorting me through some of France’s best vineyards as we also enjoyed the Tour de France. If you are a fan of the race, it is perhaps one of the most magnificent displays of athletic ability through the largest and most beautiful of ‘stadiums’, the entirety of the country.

As someone who has followed the race for nearly two decades my personal favorite are the mountain stages of in the Pyrenees and the Alps. But its the Pyrenees that brings out the true excitement. Tens of thousands of mostly Basque cycling fans line the narrow one lane mountain roads cheering on their countrymen to the prestigious stage wins in the most difficult of mountain climbs.

It was one of those stages that started in the village of Pau . We arrived in the evening before the start start and Agent Terroir wanted to take me on a very special vineyard trip. We would head north for a short drive to the appellation most famous of its bold, tannic and expressive Tannat and once there we would taste the wines of famed winemaker Alain Brumont. The vineyards, steep hillsides clay and ancient Pyrenees stone and gravel soil. This coupled with an aspect and southern exposure ensure maximum sunshine. Add to that a grape that many consider an indomitable force with another indomitable force in winemaking and you’re starting to get the idea about today’s unique selection.

The 2005 Chateau Montus Madiran AOC is one of those very special wines. Certainly not a wine for everyone, but if you are a fan of big bold expressive reds that have a ton of character then this is a wine for you.

Wine Spies Vineyard Check:

The location of the heart of the Gascony region lies the historic town of Armagnac which can be seen in thissatellite photo.