WTN: La Sirene's cassoulet, w/mostly Madiran

Zak had suggested a Cassoulet and (mostly) SW wines outing at La Sirene for last night- I mean, what's better on a cold March night? Except I'm wishing I had worn shorts as I make my way from subway station. I greet my friend Fred outside and go in to discover Jay, Megan, Zak, and Ramon are already there. I'm told a corked Albarino (do Ferreiro I think) was disposed of before I sat down.

I enjoyed the cassoulet despite the late spring weather. And I enjoyed many of the wines, though there were no home runs this night:

2008 Chidaine "Clos Baudoin" Vouvray
Dry, though with a hint of burnt sugar and honey. Lemon, mineral, quite enjoyable though very young. Went well with my octopus appetizer. B+

2010 Jamet Cotes du Rhone
Dark berry fruit, juicy, a touch of meat. I didn't even know Jamet made a CdR. B

1985 Piero Talenti "Pian di Conte" Brunello di Montalcino Riserva
This was showing its age a bit(with some slight pruney notes), but also a lot of class. Leathery, dried black cherry, red licorice, good length. B+

1995 Ch. Montus (Madiran)
Tannins,herbs, and a bit of spice. I think there's a bit of brett here, though not bothersome. B

1995 Ch. Montus Prestige (Madiran)
This had some time in decanter before return to bottle for train trip, which helped though there is still plenty of structure there. Cigarbox, sandalwood, and cassis. Good length and a plush mouthfeel, without seeming spoofy. I remark that Tannat seems to handle wood better than most grapes. B+

2007 Bouscasse Madiran
OK,I take back what I said re tannat handling oak. This is nothing but oak and tannin over a bit of confected fruit. C

1996 Bouscasse Vieilles Vignes (Madiran)
Fully mature, dark fruit, morphing into some quite Bordeaux-like. B+/B

2001 Bouscasse Vieilles Vignes (Madiran)
Younger and rougher than the 96, but some quite attractive dark fruit and I enjoyed this. B

2000 Etxegaraya " Cuvee Lehengoa" Irouleguy
Fading fruit, but good acids keeping it alive, some tannin still, flower and mineral notes. B

2000 Clos de Gamot "Cuvee des Vignes Centenaires" Cahors
I just found this tannic and stolid, maybe my palate was shot. B-/C+

I didn't take any notes on the 2 sweet wines, but didn't care much for the 2009 Andrea Occhipinti MonteMaggiore Lazio Rosso (prejudice perhaps, I'm not really a big drinker of sweet reds). I slightly preferred the 2010 Causse Marines Grains de Folie Douce(Gaillac) , but wasn't crazy for it, but as noted by that point palate was shot.

Fun night with good group.

Grade disclaimer: I'm a very easy grader, basically A is an excellent wine, B a good wine, C mediocre. Anything below C means I wouldn't drink at a party where it was only choice. Furthermore, I offer no promises of objectivity, accuracy, and certainly not of consistency.

2007 Bouscasse Madiran
OK,I take back what I said re tannat handling oak. This is nothing but oak and tannin over a bit of confected fruit. C

I don't own any Brumont Madiran more recent than 1999 vintage but I have the impression from tastings than the wines are getting distinctly more international in style, though maybe 2007 was a weakish vintage for them as in Bordeaux (Cahors 07 can be excellent, however). Your TN doesn't sound at all like the young Bouscassé vintages I tasted at a vertical about 12 years ago. The Brumont winery has certainly become a lot more commercial in approach with a series of wines, apart from its main Montus and Bouscassé cuvées, which seemed dumbed down to make Tannat accessible to "average" consumers.

2000 Clos de Gamot "Cuvee des Vignes Centenaires" Cahors
I just found this tannic and stolid, maybe my palate was shot. B-/C+

Tannic and stolid is a polite description for most Gamot which I have had since Jean Jouffreau disappeared. However some hardcore Cahors enthusiasts rate this estate's wines as the real thing . They contrast them favourably to the more "modern" and more accessible offerings from, say, Château du Cèdre and Lamartine, which IMO are lovely at the age of your Gamot once the new wood has integrated.

Thanks for the notes, Dale. Good times all around.

Re: Gamot: I don't know, I've enjoyed more recent vintages of it quite a lot (2002, 2004, 2005), as much or more than Cedre or Lamartine. This old-vines cuvee, though, is still fiercely tannic and needs a lot of time; I didn't care for it much, and I brought it.

Yum!

Sounds like fun!

1995 Ch. Montus (Madiran)
Tannins,herbs, and a bit of spice. I think there's a bit of brett here, though not bothersome. B

1995 Ch. Montus Prestige (Madiran)
This had some time in decanter before return to bottle for train trip, which helped though there is still plenty of structure there. Cigarbox, sandalwood, and cassis. Good length and a plush mouthfeel, without seeming spoofy. I remark that Tannat seems to handle wood better than most grapes. B+

Any guesses on where these are on the aging curve. I still have some of each (both 750 and mag) and have been wondering if its still too early. Last one I tried was the regular back in 2007 or 2008 and it was still too young.

Sounds like a fun time, sorry I couldn't join you guys.

The corked Albarino was the 2010 do Ferreiro Cepas Vellas

I had cassoulet one night after you did at an Open That Bottle Night. The restaurant owner said because cassoulet is a hearty winter dish, it was appropriate to serve it for a final time as spring arrivesl

The corked Albarino was the 2010 do Ferreiro Cepas Vellas

Ouch, that hurts even more.

Brian, I thought the Prestige definitely needed time (opened 5-6 hours before dinner, 2 hours in decanter, at best next night). I think the regular Montus needed some time as well. The 96 Prestige is drinking well these days.

Brian, I thought the Prestige definitely needed time (opened 5-6 hours before dinner, 2 hours in decanter, at best next night). I think the regular Montus needed some time as well. The 96 Prestige is drinking well these days.

Was afraid of that. Thanks.

The corked Albarino was the 2010 do Ferreiro Cepas Vellas

That's too bad, I would have enjoyed a tasting note. I ordered a case of the 2010 out of our store for myself. It's get them quickly or they are gone here on the left coast.