Château Peyros, 'Vieilles Vignes', 2020, Madiran (AOC)

'One-Liner'
Serious old-vine Madiran with polish – black fruit, cocoa and spice wrapped in powerful yet velvety Tannat tannins.

Tasting Note
Deep, dark ruby in the glass, with an expressive nose of blackberry, black plum and red berry fruit layered with cocoa, pepper and subtle toasted oak. The palate is full and concentrated, but there is a lovely roundness beneath the power, with ripe fruit filling out Tannat’s naturally firm structure. Cabernet Franc adds freshness and lift, while touches of chocolate, spice and wood bring savoury complexity through the middle. The tannins are substantial but beautifully ripe and coated, giving the wine impressive length without undue aggression. Robust, fresh and finely balanced on the finish, with dark fruit, cocoa and spice lingering behind.

Country: France
Region: Occitanie
Sub-Region: Madiran AOC
Grape(s): 80% Tannat, 20% Cabernet Franc
ABV: 13.5%
Friendly: Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable

Awards & Critics' Scores
Wine Enthusiast 2024 – 94/100, Cellar Selection, Top 100
VertdeVin – 92/100

The Story
Château Peyros lies at the southern edge of Madiran, where its name – meaning 'stony place' in Gascon – reflects vineyards strewn with rolled pebbles and gravel over clay-silt soils. The Lesgourgues family took over the historic seventeenth-century property in 1999, and Vieilles Vignes is its signature expression, drawn from 6.5 hectares of vines averaging around 35 years old. The 2020 combines 80% Tannat with 20% Cabernet Franc, fermented for twenty days in stainless steel before spending twelve months in barrel, one third new. It is a classic Madiran in structure, but the estate’s approach gives the wine a welcome sense of polish – plenty of depth and ageing potential, but with freshness and finely coated tannins rather than sheer brute force.

Perfect With... (click me for the recipe)
- Meat/fish: Toulouse-style sausages with lentils, herbs and red wine
- Vegetarian: Chestnut mushroom pithivier with a dressed green salad
- Vegan: Lentil and walnut stuffed onions with rosemary and red wine gravy