Domaine du Crampilh Madiran Cuvée l'Originel

Color (5/5) is a dark red-purple (as expected). The nose (11/15) gives sagey sausage with a hint of black fruit jam. It's smoother than expected on the palate (16/20) though the firm tannins still announce its pedigree. Black, tarry, leathery fruit with some graphite and black coffee on the lengthy finish. A fine example of a "moyenne garde" Madiran that should improve over the next couple of years and hold firm another five (7/10). Very nice intro to the AOC …