Domaine Pichard

Domaine Pichard is located near Pau in the commune of Soublecause in the hautes-Pyrenees department.

In 1955 the domain was merely a plot of uncultivated land which Auguste Vigneau spotted the potential of this hitherto uncultivated south-facing land purchased it and set about planting his first vines. Until 2004 Vigneau’s nephew, René Tachouère, was in charge. He pursued the same goal of producing structured, long lasting Madiran wines.

However, willing to retire, his attempt to pass the domain over to his son failed and he finally decided to sell to brothers in law Jean Sentilles and Rod Cork (a lawyer in Paris, native of Lancashire). They set to work on the 2004 vintage just 4 days after completing the deal.

The next vintage saw a huge amount of work completed in both vineyard (new vines were planted and both Tannat and Cabernets Franc & Sauvignon were split into two distinct plots) and cellars (renovation and introduction of new foudres and 225 litres Bordeaux barriques)

Today, the domain encompasses 12 ha in one block around the main building, of which 11 ha are planted with black varieties and 1ha of white grapes. The Tannat vines are planted on a poor soil patchwork consisting of Adour pudding stones on a bed of clay. (The Adour is a river in the southwest of France which rises in the High-Bigorre at the Col du Tourmalet, and flows into the Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, near Bayonne).

The Tannat, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Manseng grapes are picked by hand, whilst the Cabernet Franc is machine harvested. The grapes then go through a long 20-28 days vatting period in order to extract optimum colour and tannin.

The production is centred on Madiran AC: the flagship wine, the mythic Cuvee Vigneau is a blend of 70% Tannat, 25% Cabernet Franc & 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. This majestic cuvee made only in good vintages and combines depth of flavour, structure and long ageing potential. The more classic Cuvee Tradition is a blend of 50% Tannat, 45% Cabernet Franc & 5% Cabernet Sauvignon. Although this has less richness and grandeur than the Vigneau, it certainly does not lack power or regional feel.

The Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh is the local medium-sweet white wine made solely from Petit Manseng grapes.

These are serious wines. You can enjoy them young with lengthy decanting, but they will provide full enjoyment when mature and will partner beautifully any confits, cassoulets. The Pacherenc matches asian food perfectly.