Wine Review: Château Peyros Madiran 2014

Madiran is a village in the Haut Béarn region of Gascony, France, that mainly produces wines from the Tannat grape. So we're talking about highly tannic stuff coming out of this village. Wines that chew your steak for you.

Where Château Peyros now sits used to be a convent and the steeple still stands at the top of their slopes. Their wine is a bit different than it's colleagues thanks to it's unique soil for the area and own little microclimate. Not only is it the only vineyard in Madiran that benefits from full southern exposure, but the land is rocky with lots of pebbles and clay. That last part sounds PERFECT for a little bit of Cabernet Franc action, and Château Peyros takes full advantage of that. They have 49 acres of vineyards with 70% of it planted with Tannat and 30% planted with Cabernet Franc.

Their 2014 Madiran is 80% Tannat and 20% Cabernet Franc, with the average age of the vines between 40 and 50 years, and it spends a whole year aging in oak barrels (40% new).

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Bas Armagnac Artez Reviews: Three little brandies perched by my doorstep

Thanks to Heavenly Spirits I'm reviewing two wines by Domaine de Magnaut out of Gascony, France, and three Armagnacs by Bas Armagnac Artez. I've already reviewed the wines; Rouge 2014 and Rosé 2017, but now I'm sipping on some Armagnac.

TARIQUET ALAMBIC
IMAGE CREDIT: distilling.com

Armagnac is a brandy from the Armagnac region in Gascony, France, which is just south of Bordeaux. I hate to bring up Cognac every time I talk about Armagnac but it's the easiest way to explain what Armagnac is. Instead of being distilled multiple times like Cognac, Armagnac is distilled just once. Being far less commercial than Cognac, often it's distilled from a still that is brought around from house to house in a wagon called a tariquet alambic. Higher quality Armagnac are distilled in stills called alquitaras. Because of things like this and it's other rules that separate it from its brandy brother, Armagnac is generally more rustic than the elegant Cognac.

Lifted from the tech sheet of these Armagnacs with some edits by myself: Artez is a small Armagnac producer who owns 12 hectares (30 acres) located in the Western part of the Bas Armagnac ("low Armagnac", the western subregion), also known as the First Cru. Even though the eaux de vie (the distilled brandy before it's aged in oak) have been produced at this distillery for many decades, a new owner took over the family business about 20 years ago. The uniqueness of Artez is to produce mostly single varietals Armagnacs, a very rare specialty which requires special skills from the distiller and cellar master.

This little 3 pack of different Armagnacs by Artez will run you about $50, and that's a pretty good deal! So let's crack them open and don't worry about a thing! Because everything little thing's gonna be all right!

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Wine Review: Domaine de Magnaut Euphorie de Rosé 2017

Thanks to Heavenly Spirits I'm reviewing two wines by Domaine de Magnaut out of Gascony, France,and three Armagnacs by Artez. I've already reviewed the Rouge 2014, today I'm doing the Rosé 2017, and on Sunday I'll be sipping on some Armagnac.

Paul Scott of Heavenly Spirits says: Domaine de Magnaut is a family owned winery in the Armagnac Tenareze region of Gascony. They also produce Armagnac and Floc. Jean Marie Terraube and his wife run the winery and four diverse vineyards. They harvest Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (for rosé), gros and petite Manseng in all four vineyards. Most of their production is sold from the winery. They are Designated "vigneron Independant".

The 2017 Euphorie de Rosé is a Cotes de Gascogne that's 100% Syrah and has an ABV of 11.5%. I reviewed the 2016 vintage in May of last year.

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Wine Review: Domaine de Magnaut L'eden Gascon Rouge 2014

Thanks to Heavenly Spirits I'm reviewing two wines by Domaine de Magnaut out of Gascony, France, and three Armagnacs by Artez. This is the Rouge 2014, on Thursday I'll do the Rosé 2017, and on Sunday I'll be sipping on some Armagnac.

Paul Scott of Heavenly Spirits says: Domaine de Magnaut is a family owned winery in the Armagnac Tenareze region of Gascony. They also produce Armagnac and Floc. Jean Marie Terraube and his wife run the winery and four diverse vineyards. They harvest Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (for rosé), gros and petite Manseng in all four vineyards. Most of their production is sold from the winery. They are Designated "vigneron Independant".

The 2014 L'eden Gascon Rouge has an ABV of 13% and is 100% Merlot, and you should know by now how much I adore Merlot! So let's taste some Gascony Merlot!

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Wine Reviews: Best of Spring 2018!

Today is the first day of Summer, so here's the best wines that I reviewed for this Spring season!

#5. Bogati Malbec 2016

Region: Virginia, USA
Review Release: April 26th, 2018

The color of the wine is a deep, dark garnet. And holy moly the nose is gorgeous! There's a calming minerality that lurks above the bold aromas of cherries, prunes, and a bowlful of lollipops. I could smell this all night! It's medium bodied with a slick mouthfeel, bitter tannin, and a tart acidity. In fact, it all gets a bit tart and bitter. There's flavors of tart cherries, raspberries, plum skin, and orange mandarin tea. The finish seems to go on forever with tart cherries and bitter orange. This is just so very different and so very good.

READ THE FULL REVIEW / WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO

QUALITY VS PRICE RATING

Price: $28

Rating: 4/5 = Recommended (what does that mean?)

#4. Domaine de Magnaut l'Esprit Passion Tannat 2014

Region: Gascony, France
Review Release: May 25th, 2018

The color of the wine is a deep burgundy with a twist of purple. Licorice and pre-lit, but stomped out, tobacco are the first aromas to hit your nostrils. Then there's blackberries, black olives, and vanilla. On the palate it's full bodied with a high acidity that's balanced off with strong, fine-grained tannin. There's flavors of cherries, plums, black olives, and mocha. The finish of plums and mocha go on for awhile but it's that finely grained tannin that shines. It's there, and it wants your attention, but it doesn't suck the saliva right out of your mouth.

READ THE FULL REVIEW / WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO

QUALITY VS PRICE RATING

Price: $21

Rating: 4.5/5 = Recommended / Highly Recommended (what does that mean?)

#3. Morgan Monterey Sauvignon Blanc 2016

Region: Monterey, California, USA

Review Release: April 8th, 2018

The color of the wine is a very pale yellow. On the nose there's aromas of lemon, passion fruit, and a combination of buttery and floral aromas that brings images of buttercup flowers to my head. I mean, I think I remember as a kid knowing they were called buttercups because they were buttery. Right? Am I right or am I just an old fart making things up? I dunno. Anyways, I immediately thought of buttercups and then pieced together why afterwords. Fight me.

On the palate it's medium bodied with a slight creaminess in mouthfeel from the little time in oak that it saw. There's loud and jumpy flavors of lemons, limes, and yellow pears. A very simple but lively and absolutely delicious midpalate. Then it finishes with lemons, a blade of grass, tart acidity, and a slight dusting of fine minerality.

READ THE FULL REVIEW / WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO

QUALITY VS PRICE RATING

Price: $18

Rating: 5/5 = Highly Recommended (what does that mean?)

#2. Domaine de Magnaut Equilibre de Manseng 2014

Region: Gascony, France
Review Release: May 13th, 2018

The color of the wine is a vibrant pale yellow with a slight hint of green. There's aromas of peaches, melon, and honey. It's full bodied with some sweetness and balanced acidity. There's flavors of apricots, peaches, pear, and honey. And it all continues on to an insanely long finish.

Holy shit this is amazing. I freakin' love it. It's so rounded in body and mouthfeel and succulent with its fruit. This is not a crisp quaffer, this is a sip-and-savor. It's recommended as an aperitif to be paired with fois gras, but I'd prefer it for dessert with whatever pie you've got available.

And it'll only cost you TWELVE DOLLARS! Crap, man. This is a steal. I have no choice but to give it a perfect score. Highly recommended!

READ THE FULL REVIEW / WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO

QUALITY VS PRICE RATING

Price: $12

Rating: 5/5 = Highly Recommended (what does that mean?)

#1. Godelia Godello-Doña Blanco Bierzo 2015

Region: Bierzo, Spain
Review Release: April 19th, 2018

On the palate... SUCCULENT LEMON! But I'm getting ahead of myself. It's medium bodied with what I think would be a creamy mouthfeel if it wasn't pushed aside by such an aggressively tart acidity. And... STRAIGHT-UP SUCCULENT LEMON! Goddamn, it's so good! Fun and juicy and alive! And DANGEROUS! I could probably down this whole bottle in five minutes. And here's the thing: it's not some low quality thirst quencher that you can down in five minutes. Those are awesome too. This is a damn good quality thirst quencher that you can down in five minutes.

I love this. I don't want it to end. I want a case of this stuff right now. I want to pour it in a bowl of Fruity Pebbles and eat it until I pass out. PERFECT SCORE! Mark it up!

READ THE FULL REVIEW / WATCH THE YOUTUBE VIDEO

QUALITY VS PRICE RATING

Price: $17

Rating: 5/5 = Highly Recommended (what does that mean?)

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Wine Review: Domaine de Magnaut l'Esprit Passion Tannat 2014

Thanks to Heavenly Spirits I'm reviewing five wines by Domaine de Magnaut out of Gascony, France. I started with their Equilibre de Manseng 2014 and Euphorie de Rosé 2016, Les Hauts de Boilin 2014, Manseng Sec 2014, and now I'm cleaning up with Tannat 2014.

Paul Scott of Heavenly Spirits says: Domaine de Magnaut is a family owned winery in the Armagnac Tenareze region of Gascony. They also produce Armagnac and Floc. Jean Marie Terraube and his wife run the winery and four diverse vineyards. They harvest Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (for rosé), gros and petite Manseng in all four vineyards. Most of their production is sold from the winery. They are Designated "vigneron Independant".

The l'Esprit Passion 2014 Tannat is a a Cotes de Gascogne Rouge that's 100% Tannat; a black grape variety native to France that's notorious for its astringent tannin. The final ABV is 13%.

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Wine Review: Domaine de Magnaut l'Esprit Passion Manseng Sec 2014

Thanks to Heavenly Spirits I'm reviewing five wines by Domaine de Magnaut out of Gascony, France. I started with their Equilibre de Manseng 2014 and Euphorie de Rosé 2016, Les Hauts de Boilin 2014, and now I'm on to Manseng Sec 2014 before I conclude with Tannat 2014.

Paul Scott of Heavenly Spirits says: Domaine de Magnaut is a family owned winery in the Armagnac Tenareze region of Gascony. They also produce Armagnac and Floc. Jean Marie Terraube and his wife run the winery and four diverse vineyards. They harvest Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (for rosé), gros and petite Manseng in all four vineyards. Most of their production is sold from the winery. They are Designated "vigneron Independant".

The l'Esprit Passion 2014 Manseng Sec is a a Cotes de Gascogne Blanc that's 100% Gros Manseng; a white grape variety from southern France that produces high acidity and juicy fruit flavors. The final ABV is 14%.

 

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Wine Review: Domaine de Magnaut Les Hauts de Boulin 2014

Thanks to Heavenly Spirits I'm reviewing five wines by Domaine de Magnaut out of Gascony, France. I started with their Equilibre de Manseng 2014 and Euphorie de Rosé 2016, and now I'm no to Les Hauts de Boilin 2014, to be followed by Manseng Sec 2014 and Tannat 2014.

Paul Scott of Heavenly Spirits says: Domaine de Magnaut is a family owned winery in the Armagnac Tenareze region of Gascony. They also produce Armagnac and Floc. Jean Marie Terraube and his wife run the winery and four diverse vineyards. They harvest Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (for rosé), gros and petite Manseng in all four vineyards. Most of their production is sold from the winery. They are Designated "vigneron Independant".

The 2014 Les Hauts de Boilin is Cotes de Gascogne that's 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% Tannat, and has a 14% ABV.

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Wine Review: Domaine de Magnaut Euphorie de Rosé 2016

Thanks to Heavenly Spirits I'm reviewing five wines by Domaine de Magnaut out of Gascony, France. I started with their Equilibre de Manseng 2014 and now I'm on to Euphorie de Rosé 2016, which will be followed by Les Hauts de Boilin 2014, Manseng Sec 2014, and Tannat 2014.

Paul Scott of Heavenly Spirits says: Domaine de Magnaut is a family owned winery in the Armagnac Tenareze region of Gascony. They also produce Armagnac and Floc. Jean Marie Terraube and his wife run the winery and four diverse vineyards. They harvest Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (for rosé), gros and petite Manseng in all four vineyards. Most of their production is sold from the winery. They are Designated "vigneron Independant".

The 2016 Euphorie de Rosé is a Cotes de Gascogne that's 100% Syrah and has an ABV of 12%.

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Wine Review: Domaine de Magnaut Equilibre de Manseng 2014

Thanks to Heavenly Spirits I'm reviewing five wines by Domaine de Magnaut out of Gascony, France. Starting with their Equilibre de Manseng 2014 then Euphorie de Rosé 2016, Les Hauts de Boilin 2014, Manseng Sec 2014, and Tannat 2014.

Paul Scott of Heavenly Spirits says: Domaine de Magnaut is a family owned winery in the Armagnac Tenareze region of Gascony. They also produce Armagnac and Floc. Jean Marie Terraube and his wife run the winery and four diverse vineyards. They harvest Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah (for rosé), gros and petite Manseng in all four vineyards. Most of their production is sold from the winery. They are Designated "vigneron Independant".

It's impossible to tell from the picture because of the tinted glass but the 2014 Equilibre de Manseng is actually a white wine. It's a Cotes de Gascogne that's 100% Gros Manseng; a white grape variety from southern France that produces high acidity and juicy fruit flavors. The final ABV is 12%.

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