Chateau Bouscasse 2020 Madiran

"To the eye this is classic Madiran: opaque as the dead of night ... yet around the edges ruby garnet notes lurk; there is nary a trace of luridity present.

Aromatically akin to falling, willingly, into a black hole: blackcurrant and liqueur of such, stewed black cherries with bay and cinnamon beyond the event horizon. The naked singularity: beech bark - that wet under-bark and undergrowth scent, then potting soil and clove. Background radiation in the form of redder notes including warm ruddy earth - perhaps rust? Further: balsam, cedar/cypress, campfire ash, and antique furniture - an inkling of a dark, dimly lit Traditional Chinese Medicine shop at the centre of the universe; the wooden-draws and medicinales. I adore the presence of Cabernet Franc here. Then, Maduro cigars & dry stones, faint salinity, with austerity and richness hand-in-hand.

The palate is medium-bodied, structured and sapid with firm but surprisingly silken tannins that possess a mounting intensity before slowly fading away to leave a finish replete with plush fruit. Shape and texture are paramount, and there is something of the breathtaking to the second sip: you are prepared for how powerful the tannins are at the zenith, but not for how utterly finessed and delicate they are at first appearance as if they weave themselves out of nothing. I think of the immense crescendo in Berg’s Wozzeck between Act 3 Scenes 2 and 3. 

Cassis, dark plums, ink, black cherries; then medicinal herbs and red cherries, cassia, hints of bitter chocolate, and a touch of roast red peppers. On the long finish: creme de cassis with repeating spicy and savoury notes." — David