Familie Laplace Château Aydie “l’Origine,” Madiran

The Tannat grape has an extraordinarily high amount of tannins and antioxidants in its skin. This is also what makes Tannat by itself an intense, grippy monster requiring quite a bit of age to really be enjoyable. So modern winemakers now blend Tannat with varieties like Cabernet Franc, which gives a softer, more approachable edge to their wines. Like this little hidden gem. It’s still a rich flavour bomb—just one you can pop open now. Seize the day, as they say. Sort the purple teeth later. Or just laugh and have another sip.