Delighted to discover that Leon Stolarski Fine Wines is now stocking one of the best producers in Madiran and some good Jurancon and Jurancon Sec.
It is an interesting juxtaposition, Madiran AC being for rich tannic reds, and Jurancon AC being for intensely perfumed aromatic sweeter whites (Jurancon Sec AC for superb dry whites).
As such both appellations are very distinctive and individual - and proud of it. Both use traditional local grape varietals (Tannat for Madiran, Gros and Petit Manseng for Jurancons) and both regions (albeit only about 30 miles apart) are dominated by small individual domaines.
In Madiran Chateau Peyros has always been one of the prime producers, especially with the cuvée "Le Couvent de Chateau Peyros". Madiran was effectively created as a serious appellation by the Laplace family at Chateau d'Aydie; Patrick Doucournau at Chapelle Lenclos has been an innovator with the introduction of "micro-oxygenation", Alain Brumont at Chateau Montus has been the perfectionist, whilst DIdier Barré at Domaine Berthoumieu has been the young upstart who has really made a name for Madiran wines of great style over recent years and is my personal favourite.
Jurancon AC and Jurancon Sec AC are from Domaine de Montesqiou at Monein - not a domaine which I know, but they do warrant an entry in the renowned "Guide Hachette des Vins de France 2006" so they should be good. In general I prefer dry whites, and Jurancon Sec is a deliciously intense dry white, usually very aromatic and quite different from the normal run of Sauvignons and Chardonnays - "Pale straw/yellow colour, with green tints. A lovely floral and mineral nose, with hints of lemon, apple, pear and honey. Extremely fresh and zingy, with lemon and lime flavours, married to ripe apple and a lovely mineral depth. Beautiful stuff, and great value for money!"
Leon Stolarski Fine Wines will also be exhibiting at the ADSW tasting at Canons Ashby
