Clos La Coutale 2009 Cahors

The Estate... is a 6th-generation affair spreading along 60 hectares on the banks of the river Lot. Valmy and Philippe Bernede keep yields low in the vineyard and adhere to strictly traditional cellar practices to get the most from their excellent fruit.

The Wine… shows dark fruits and violets in the nose and has rich plum and raisin flavors with minerals and a touch of tobacco. The wine is a 4 out of 5 in body and has silky, mouth-filling tannins. Made from 100% non-filtered Malbec and Merlot and aged in new and old oak, this is a beautiful wine. There is a wild quality to this wine but it is also quite elegant… making it eccentric and a joy to drink. Serve with red meat and witness a magical combination. Also pairs well with duck or lamb.

The Place…the Haut-Pays, or high country, of this appellation is equidistant from the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, and the Pyrenees mountains. Cahors is a lovely city far from the robust markets of Paris and far, far away from container consolidation for shipment abroad. But even so, an energetic group of wine growers proud of their terroir are crafting some terrific wines. They want the make the point that Malbec, grown in their locale, can make stunningly good wine.