Labranche Laffont
Summary
Labranche Laffont is a 20-hectare Madiran estate where Christine Dupuy crafts Tannat-dominant wines from mature vineyards planted on clay-limestone slopes, having taken over the family property at just 19 years old in 1993. Her winemaking balances tradition with innovative techniques like micro-oxygenation to tame Tannat's powerful tannins, helping transform Madiran's reputation from exclusively robust, age-worthy wines to include more approachable expressions while maintaining authentic regional character.
Heritage & Leadership
Labranche Laffont, situated in the Madiran appellation of France's Sud Ouest region, has been under the stewardship of Christine Dupuy since 1993. At just 19 years old, Dupuy inherited the family estate following her father's passing, becoming the youngest winemaker in the region at that time. This transition marked a significant turning point for the property, as Dupuy chose to maintain and develop the family vineyard rather than pursue her original career plans.
The estate's roots extend back through generations of the Dupuy family, who have cultivated vines in this southwestern corner of France for decades. Under Christine Dupuy's leadership, Labranche Laffont has evolved from a traditional family operation into a respected producer within the Madiran appellation, while maintaining its connection to the region's winemaking heritage.
Vineyards & Wines
Labranche Laffont encompasses approximately 20 hectares of vineyards spread across the clay-limestone slopes of Madiran. The estate's parcels are primarily dedicated to Tannat, the signature grape variety of the appellation, which constitutes about 70% of the plantings. The remainder includes Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, which are traditional blending partners in the region.
The vineyards benefit from the unique terroir of Madiran, with its mix of oceanic and continental influences. The clay-limestone soils provide excellent drainage while retaining sufficient moisture during dry periods, creating ideal conditions for Tannat cultivation. Many of the estate's vines are mature, with some parcels exceeding 40 years in age, contributing to the depth and concentration in the resulting wines.
The estate produces a range of wines, from the flagship Madiran blends to single-vineyard expressions that highlight specific terroir characteristics. The Vieilles Vignes cuvée, sourced from the oldest Tannat plantings, represents the estate's most structured offering, while the traditional Madiran blend incorporates small percentages of the Cabernet varieties to soften Tannat's naturally firm tannins.
Philosophy & Practice
Christine Dupuy's approach to winemaking balances respect for tradition with thoughtful innovation. She has been particularly instrumental in evolving techniques to manage Tannat's powerful tannins, employing micro-oxygenation—a method pioneered in Madiran by Patrick Ducournau—to soften the wines while preserving their structural integrity and aging potential.
In the vineyard, Dupuy practices sustainable viticulture with meticulous attention to canopy management and yield control. Harvesting is conducted by hand to ensure optimal grape selection, with separate vinification of parcels to preserve their distinct characteristics.
The winemaking process at Labranche Laffont emphasizes gentle extraction to avoid harsh tannins. Fermentation occurs in temperature-controlled tanks, followed by aging that varies by cuvée—from stainless steel for fresher styles to French oak barrels for the more structured offerings. The estate's top wines typically mature for 12-18 months in a combination of new and used oak, allowing for gradual oxidation and tannin integration.
Through her methodical approach and deep understanding of the Tannat grape, Dupuy has contributed significantly to the evolution of Madiran wines, helping to transform the region's reputation from one producing exclusively robust, long-aging wines to one capable of creating more approachable expressions while maintaining authentic regional character.