Sorry, The Wine Spies doesn't support Internet Explorer anymore. Please use a newer browser to continue browsing our wine collections.
What We Say 2009 Gros Manseng-Sauvignon
EXCLUSIVE WINE ALERT:
Today’s selection from famed winemaker Alain Brumont is only available in the United States in very limited quantities. If you’re a fan of these unique wines, then be sure to place your order early. Our allocation is very limited.
SECRET SAVINGS ALERT:
Subscribe to our Daily Dispatch (above) and you’ll always know what our Top Secret coupon code of the day is. Every day we issue a new members-only code that entitles you to Free Ground Shipping on orders of six or more and, sometimes, an added discount!
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 the King’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 this satellite photo.
What the Winery Says
Vignobles Brumont
Awards & Accolades:
“These are unreal wines that are purely made, remarkably rich, and so complete and promising that they cannot be ignored.” – Robert Parker
“Alain Brumont is simply the best and most forward-thinking vintner in Madiran” Wine Spectator
“Five Star Outstanding Estate” – The New France
Alain Brumont is top 10 French for Robert Parker and Steven Tanzer.
About This Wine:
Alain Brumont has always been fascinated by the Gascony region. For many years he has been working to select the best terroirs in this region. His skills and knowledge were articulated in the varietal selection of each parcel of land.
The association of Gros Manseng and Sauvignon gives a mouth filling and fresh wine.
About The Winery:
In 1980, Alain Brumont acquired Château Montus. On this terroir made up of large round pebbles, situated in the finest Madiran Crus, he replanted the Tannat, which was venerated in the 18th Century, when no one really believed any longer in this grape variety considered too rustic because of its too great a yield, and which, once diluted, only produced astringency and bitterness.
In 1985, a great terroir was detected where the Tannat was very different from the others and was given the name Cuvée Prestige. This cuvée allowed Château Montus to elevate itself amongst the great wines. Montus Prestige, the first Madiran made from 100% Tannat, is entirely aged in new oak barrels. A revolution at the time, that all the famous wine tasters throughout the world nicknamed Petrus de Madiran.
Another revolution soon followed. Betting on the Petit Courbu, a little-known white grape variety from the Pacherenc du Vic Bilh Appellation, Alain Brumont surprised everyone with this dry white Montus, astonishing by its concentration its volume on the palate and its finesse comparable to a great white Hermitage.
About Alain Brumont:
“To each vine, he gave a name” Didier Dagueneau
A great tribute from a winegrower with exceptional standards of which Alain Brumont is very proud, as it illustrates the perfect timing with which Alain Brumont works his vineyard. Brumont vineyards are the expression of exceptional terroirs and very old outstanding local grape varieties.
Alain Brumont, extraordinary winegrower, has never ceased to develop these terroirs and the grape varieties of his region, for which he has been rewarded and has placed him in the same category as some of the greatest winegrowers in the world.
Today, thanks to this passionate and visionary man, creator of a unique style, his wines represent the generous Gascogne and the Pyrenees altogether imposing and delicate.
Today, nobody doubts his success, which marks the winegrower world.
Technical Analysis:
REGION: Gascogne, France
ALCOHOL: 12.5%
TERROIR: Boulbène and chalky – clay soil.
GRAPE VARIETIES: 50% Gros Manseng, 50% Sauvignon
VINIFICATION: Skin contact; Fermentation at 14°; Maturing on the lees, in vat, with stirring of the lees.
