Domaine Laougue 19.10, Madiran, France

Dark-fruited, structured, and notably supple for Madiran, 2021 Domaine Laougué 19.10 brings together 80% Tannat and 20% Cabernet Franc from the Pyrenean foothills. The fruit comes from mature vines on a south-facing hillside, rooted in clay and silt with rolled pebbles higher on the slope. A short cold maceration, gentle extraction, and élevage in concrete emphasize fruit and texture rather than oak, producing a generous expression of Madiran with ripe black fruit, fine tannins, and an underlying freshness that keeps its 14.0% ABV in balance.

Product Details:

• Owner & Winemaker: Sylvain Dabadie
• Grapes: 80% Tannat, 20% Cabernet Franc
• Farming: Organically farmed; estate entered organic conversion in 2020
• Soils: Clay and silt with large rolled pebbles higher on the slope
• Vine Age: 25+ years
• Planting Density: 4,400 vines per hectare
• Pruning: Simple Guyot
• Vineyard Exposure: South-facing hillside overlooking the Pyrenees
• Cold Maceration: 48 hours
• Fermentation: Temperature-controlled with indigenous yeasts
• Extraction: Gentle pigeage
• Vatting: 21 days
• Aging: Concrete vats
• ABV: 14.0%

Sensory Description:

Deep, dark red in the glass, with a restrained but concentrated nose of blackcurrant, blackberry, and black plum joined by subtle floral and herbal nuances. The palate is rich and dense without becoming cumbersome, with ripe dark berry fruit wrapped in fine, surprisingly supple tannins. Tannat supplies the wine's depth and underlying structure, while Cabernet Franc contributes lift and freshness. Savory herbs and a lightly bitter edge add complexity through a finish that remains balanced, fresh, and persistent.

Awards & Accolades:

• 91 Points: Wine Enthusiast, Roger Voss, 2021 Cuvée 19.10
• 90 Points: Wine & Spirits, Joshua Greene, 2021 Madiran 19.10

Winemaker's Background:

Domaine Laougué is a multigenerational Dabadie family estate in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Pierre Dabadie took over from his father in the 1980s, expanded the vineyard, built new cellar facilities, and worked to modernize viticulture and vinification while retaining Madiran's identity. His son Sylvain Dabadie took over the family operation in 2014 and represents the third generation, developing a more contemporary interpretation of the appellation centered on precise fruit, gentler extraction, and respect for the estate's varied terroirs. The vineyards encompass clay-limestone, clay-silt, gravel, and rolled-pebble soils, with Tannat and Cabernet Franc forming the foundation of the domaine's Madiran wines. The 19.10 cuvée, whose name refers to birth dates within the owning family, is conceived as a particularly approachable expression of Madiran, using concrete rather than an overt oak élevage to preserve fruit and soften Tannat's naturally formidable structure.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 16 to 18 degrees Celsius in a generous red wine glass. The 2021 has sufficient fruit and supple tannin to drink now, although decanting for approximately 30 to 60 minutes will help open its black-fruited and savory aromas. Wine Enthusiast recommends drinking from 2026, reflecting the wine's capacity for further development. Pair with grilled or roasted beef, duck breast, lamb, Basque charcuterie, cassoulet, braised meats, or aged Pyrenean sheep's milk cheese such as Ossau-Iraty.