Discovering Cahors Case

A cuvée made from 85% young-vine malbec with a little merlot, raised for a short time in old oak barrels and offering a fresh, fruity style of Cahors for opening and enjoying young. We are delighted to name Clos Triguedina a Wine Society Pioneer for their longstanding approach to sustainable production. Their efforts in water conservation are impressive, they use no synthetic chemicals (preferring sexual confusion pheromones to deter pests, and work hard on soil regeneration and graze sheep to graze nitrogen-fixing cover crops while adding a little fertiliser of their own. Biodiversity is a key pillar too, helping to create a balanced ecosystem, with bat and bird nesting boxes and local beekeepers involved. And In the local community, Agathe Jonquères d'Oriola is a member of ‘Vin de Femmes’, a local association of 12 women wine producers who run an annual event that attracts big crowds and provides income for local associations supporting ill women and children.

The Filhols have farmed this part of Vire-sur-Lot for generations and have well-exposed vines above the Lot River. This delicious blend of 70% malbec and 30% merlot offers excellent value. Ripe, full and fruity with food-friendly grip on the palate this is perfect with duck or a beefburger kept simple for the tannins to get to grips with.

From well-sited vines in the Lot Valley, this is always a sound benchmark wine for Cahors. The blend is 80% malbec with 20% merlot which creates the right balance. A wine that has structure yet roundness, too, with lovely ripe gentle brambly fruit and good length in the hot and dry 2022 vintage.

Château Coutale is one of the longest established and best located estates in Cahors, with a reputation for making polished, classy reds with the capacity to age. This is the top cuvée, which is fragrant, with fine, polished tannins and a long finish – a far cry from the muscular, tannic wines of yesteryear. Pair with venison or game.

From a fine estate with a plots at different levels along the valley of the Lot, this is a full-flavoured, fruit-driven malbec, concentrated and rich, from an excellent vintage in this appellation of south-western France.

Château Ponzac has vines both down by the Lot river and on top of the limestone plateau, and makes different wines from each. This 100% malbec cuvée, with its refined, fresh dark fruit, does not need keeping and is delicious now.