Madiran used to be a byword for tough, earthy and rustic wines which had ferocious tannins that never softened. Since the mid 1980s the quality has greatly improved with the wines being softer, richer in fruit, and with smoother and more supple tannins.

Guy Capmartin is a 3rd generation vigneron from Madiran who decided in 1987 to leave Domaine Barrejat, which was his family`s Domaine and set up on his own. He now has 8 hectares of vines and produces 3 different cuvées of red as well as a superb dry white Pacherenc. The Cuvée Tradition is a blend of 40% Tannat, 30% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Fer Servadou. It can be approached when young, but ideally one would wait for 5 years or so before pulling the cork.