Château d'Aydie Madiran

Madiran, France

The appellation's benchmark for elegance within power — Tannat with a small proportion of Fer Servadou and Cabernet Franc from Pyrenean clay soils. Dark cherry, blackberry, violets, iron mineral, and a tannin structure more accessible than Montus but still demanding of 5-8 years' patience. Demonstrates Tannat's capacity for finesse alongside its natural power.

Pairing intelligence

• main: Duck breast and Madiran is the Gascony equation — the wine's iron tannin and dark fruit character bridges the duck's rich fat; cèpes' earthiness mirrors the wine's mineral depth; Armagnac reduction bridges the dark fruit
• main: Madiran's iron tannins and a prime cut of Gascon beef — the wine's power matches the beef's fat; bone marrow butter bridges the iron mineral; watercress' bitterness contrasts the dark fruit