In Viella, in the Madiran vineyard, the Château du Pouey enjoys one of the most favorable terroir. Bastien Lannusse, a talented young winegrower, vinifies there under three appellations: Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh, Madiran and Côtes de Gascogne.
Up there on the hill
Built on a ridge, Château du Pouey occupies a commanding position overlooking the Madiran landscape . The estate takes its name from an Occitan expression commonly used to describe the top of a hill. Here, the vines cascade down the gently rolling hills of the commune of Viella in neat rows. Four generations of winemakers have worked the land. Since 2012, Bastien Lannusse has carried on the tradition passed down to him by his father, Pierre Lannusse. The young winemaker's first decision was to break with the cooperative model, which had been the established practice until then, to embark on his own winemaking adventure. He has since produced his own wines, exploring with exacting standards and finesse the resources afforded by the opportunity to cultivate wines across three appellations.
An exceptional terroir
Château du Pouey boasts exceptional soil in Madiran . No fewer than three distinct terroirs contribute to the character of its 24 hectares of vines. On the south-facing, clay-gravel slopes, Tannat , the flagship grape of Madiran , reigns supreme. It coexists with Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. Lower down, on the sloping hillsides, Gros and Petit Manseng grapes thrive in the clay-loam soil. A plot with clay and pebble subsoil completes the estate in an enclave located in Arroses, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department. The wines produced by the estate benefit from both an ideal terroir for Madiran and the geographical advantage of also encompassing the Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh and Côtes de Gascogne appellations . The remarkable terroir of Château du Pouey , enhanced by the talents of Bastien Lannusse, produces wines that are regularly recognized in guides and competitions. It must be said that the young winemaker has very quickly established himself as a leading figure of his generation.
Fruit in full expression
Going against the grain of the traditional oaked wines of Madiran , Bastien Lannusse produces a Tannat that is firmly rooted in fruit, perfectly mastering the tannic tendencies of the grape variety. The cuvée named Bastien , a 100% Tannat aged in vats for a year and a half, is its most demonstrative expression. This fruity taste, captured in its crisp and fresh aromas, is joyfully cultivated in the white, red, and rosé wines vinified in Côtes de Gascogne under the aptly named Happy Time label . As for the Pacherenc-du-Vic-Bilh , it is the L'Aydasse cuvée that brings it to its most expressive bouquet and palate. A blend where Petit Manseng powerfully dominates Gros Manseng, this late-harvest, mellow wine reveals a sweetness tempered by freshness, where quince and candied fruit sing in harmony. This vintage takes its name from the Occitan word "ayde," which means passion. And Bastien Lannusse certainly has no shortage of passion for wine, suggesting a very bright future for the upcoming vintages of Château du Pouey.