Before becoming the names of great estates, Château Bouscassé and Château Montus were the work of a single man: Alain Brumont . Certainly one of the most creative winemakers in Occitanie, Alain Brumont is also the ambassador of a very great wine to which he has given all its nobility: Madiran.
The lesson of the great oaks
Understanding Madiran requires understanding its terroir. First and foremost, its oak forests that blanket a landscape of hills nestled at the foot of the Pyrenees. At this crossroads where Occitanie meets Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the ocean itself is not far away, its breezes gently caressing the tall branches of the trees. It was in this environment that Alain Brumont learned his craft: an attentive student of his native land as a child, he absorbed all the lessons he would need for a lifetime. He learned from the great oaks that nature is self-sustaining, that the soil is nourished by natural cycles where flora and fauna work in harmony. The climate, the soil's humus, the terroir's natural environment, the soil's composition inherited from geological processes: everything converged to show that Madiran would be a land of great wines. All that was needed was to apply the lessons learned from the great oaks to the vines.
Chateau Bouscassé
The story begins at the heart of his birthplace, now home to Château Bouscassé, the first temple of Madiran wine . It took a man of conviction, guided by the wisdom of nature's masters, to embark on such a project. For it was necessary to excavate the earth and consult an architect to create the first cellar where the finest Madiran wines mature in their oak cradles . Conviction, integrity, and sincerity made everything possible. And the magic worked through the virtues of an exceptional local grape variety: Tannat . In the past, this grape produced a wine of astringent character, intended for local consumption and enriching Bordeaux wines. Alain Brumont 's brilliance lay in taming this strong-willed grape through a profound understanding of its terroir and the meticulous precision of its winemaking. The success was immediate: his first Tannat wine instantly conquered the world of wine. Since then, the success has never wavered: in the school of renowned wines, Alain Brumont has always played in the league of great creators.
Chateau Montus
In 1982, Alain Brumont acquired the Chateau Montus, monument left in the state of abandonment. His in-depth knowledge of the local terroir allowed him to anticipate the potential for the domain to revive. Because with the castle he acquired the highest vines of Madiran, including the exceptional plot of The Tire. Stone after stone Chateau Montus was restored to become today the prestigious brand of signed wines Alain Brumont. Protected by oak forests, in a silence equal to that of cathedrals, the greatest Madiran ripen there. In this almost confidential place, the wines of Montus, as well as the prestigious The Tire or the very rare XL. In the peaceful atmosphere of the cellars where the aromas of the winemaking are already a sublimation, two simple slogans affixed on panels summarize the magic of Alain Brumont wines: " Red speaks to you "," White speaks to you ". Because the great winegrower of Madiran is above all a man of his word who knew how to keep his promise: that of making people speak Madiran one of the biggest Occitanie wines.
Vignobles Brumont - Primeurs 2017
Laurence Brumont and Château Segondine
Alongside every great creator, there is often a woman. At Alain Brumont's side, it is his wife, Laurence Brumont , who is at work. She now manages the estates and carefully oversees communication. "Alain Brumont wines are first and foremost a philosophy, " she will tell you. One only needs to be invited to the couple's table to fully grasp its significance. In the dining room of Château Bouscassé, all the team members are present at every meal. They share local produce, of which the Brumonts are fervent ambassadors: Bigorre black pork, Gascon black chicken, Barèges lamb, and Riscle caviar are just some of the gastronomic gems that are perfectly complemented by the Madiran wines produced across all of the couple's estates. For in addition to the Alain Brumont wines, there are now those of Château Segondine, which Laurence Brumont received as a gift from Alain Brumont. She takes full part in defining new wines, inspired by this new terroir which combines tannat and cabernet franc.