Madiran

This is 80% Tannat and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon from the southwest of France.  It is still young and in need of time.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has cherries, black cherries, spice and black licorice.  Full bodied with firm tannins.  On the palate, this is deep and complex if hiding behind the tannins.  Black cherry fruit with some black cherries and licorice.  Strong acidity.  Long finish if a bit drying.  Give this wine another five years and then drink over the next ten to fifteen.  It needs big food.  Coq au Vin would work well.  Plenty of upside to the score with

From the home of the Tannat grape.  This wine is 100% Tannat aged for two years in steel tanks.  Inky purple in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has strong X-mas spice notes along with black raspberries and a slight saw dust note (interesting as the wine sees no oak).  It has a lush texture with strong acidity.  Fresh black cherry fruit.  Firm tannins.  Long finish.  The question for this wine is whether the tannins fade before the fruit.  It will work better with heartier foods such as a beef stew or vegetarian chili.  Drink over the next four to seven years.  

This is a blend of Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Cabernet Franc from Madiran in the southwest of France.  Inky purple  in color, opaque and bright.  The nose has black raspberries and slight black cherries with some spice and minerality.  Full bodied.  Deep.  Firm tannins.  Black raspberry fruit mostly but some boysenberry as well over a mineral base.  Clean.  A bit of char on the finish.  Delicious.  This feels like further cellaring would be helpful but with some air, it drinks well.  Drink over the next ten years.  It would work with pork chops but also grilled meats and veggies.