In less than a month, we'll be presenting in NYC about 40 Cahors Malbecs to the press and the trade. Even before this event, we are pleased to see that Cahors Malbecs are more and more noticed by the American press, trade and consumers.
Greg Moore, from the Moore Brothers Wine Company, enjoyed so much the Cuvée A of Les Hauts d'Aglan by Isabelle Rey that he raves about it in his blog: "This is pure, unadulterated, old-vines Malbec: dark, crunchy, ripe
black-cherry fruit, with clean minerality, refreshing acidity, and
silky, fine-grained tannins. There is fathomless depth and
compelling vitality. This Cahors comes from a three-hectare parcel of
sixty year-old Malbec planted by Isabelle Rey-Auriat’s grandfather.
Fewer than 100 cases were made, fermented in stainless steel, and aged
for twenty-four months in cement vats. Wooden barrels would only have diminished this terrific wine."
Greg Moore gives also more information on Isabelle Rey and her wine: "So, here’s another new producer for Moore Brothers that I couldn’t
resist when her wines became available; and a sensitive, intelligent
young woman, no less. (Is there a pattern emerging here?)
Isabelle Rey-Auriat is deeply committed to traditional Cahors and to
Malbec, so her wines are never simple imitations of Bordeaux, like so
many modern wines from the southwest of France. She is also a tireless
advocate for small-farm wine growers. From 1995 until 2000 she served
as President of the Vignerons Indépendants du Lot, and was a founding member and the first President of the Fédération Interdépartementale des Vignerons Indépendants de Midi-Pyrénées. In 2007 Isabelle Rey-Auriat was recognized by the Minister of Agriculture as a Chevalier dans l’Ordre National du Mérite Agricole.
This wine:
In the glass, the Cahors Cuvée “A” has a
deep purple color, almost black at the center, which reminds me of the
darkest violet element of a stained glass window at St. Mark’s Church.
The nose unfolds slowly with warm, concentrated, ripe black cherries.
On the palate, the wine is concentrated with ripe, mouth filling,
croquant sweet black fruit flavors, framed by submerged, sleek round
tannins. Perfectly integrated fruit acidity carries mineral flavors
through an elegant, long finish. And give it time after you pour it; this is another textbook lesson on how fine wine evolves in the glass. Drink now - 2020."
Roberto Viernes in his article on midweek.com shares Greg Moore's high regard for Cahors Malbecs: "Do you like rich Cabernet or smooth Merlot? Well, you’re not alone.
Have you ever had a Cahors? Cahors is an appellation in the southwest
of France along the Lot River southwest of Bordeaux. These wines owe
their richness in color and flavor to the Malbec grape, locally known
as Cot. (Malbec also is used traditionally in Bordeaux blends for its
color and structure.) Within its thick skin lies plenty of color, the
beautiful aromas and flavors that amateurs have enjoyed in Cahors for
decades." he goes even further in his praise: "Styles of Cahors can range from almost jammy like a Shiraz, powerful and structured, to a smooth and almost elegant Merlot." If you like either style of wines, Roberto recommends Chateau du Cèdre Prestige and Clos La Coutale.
Thank you, gentlemen, for this nice appreciation of our Cahors Malbecs!
