Chateau Montus : La Tyre 2019

A contemporary classic in the making, the 2019 La Tyre from Château Montus reveals a fresh, deep and complex bouquet of dark wild berries, sweet spices, pepper, licorice and menthol. Medium to full-bodied, deep and layered with a concentrated core of fruit, it has suave, velvety tannins framed by bright acids and a mineral, elegant finish, reflecting a softer touch and a more sensual profile without the loss of any of La Tyre’s signature power and density.

Made from 100% Tannat, the cuvée La Tyre comes from a 2-hectare plot with rolled-pebble soils over red and grey clays. From the outset, the bouquet clearly focuses on depth and finesse. Notes of elderberry and blackcurrant are supported by fine, fresh oak, coupled with hints of licorice and praline. The wine makes its entrance on tiptoe, like a prima ballerina! And yet, it has power and muscle—firm calves, so to speak—still elegant, in keeping with a ballerina’s poise. The fine-grained tannins unfold slowly on the finish, which only underscores their precision and effectiveness. They provide a very reliable backbone, together with the acidic structure, for several decades… though I suspect the wine may be drunk sooner. It would be wise to hide a few bottles that will be unearthed sooner or later. It’s a safe bet we’ll rejoice at having found such gems. Great wines are passed down from generation to generation. La Tyre contributes to this with great merit. An elegant, powerful, persistent wine of remarkable finesse. It’s quite crazy that such power can speak so loudly while whispering! In a way, it evokes Luciano Pavarotti. You’ll admit it’s a total contradiction if we think back to the prima ballerina, but a stage is above all made for artists who know how to complement each other.