L'Ostal Levant "Vendredi" Cahors, France 2022

FROM GERGOVIE WINES:

THE WINE: Malbec grown by Louis and Charlotte’s friend Marie Bessieres in Grezels, on a vineyard which is largely alluvial with sections of clay and calcareous soil. The parcel is the oldest certified organic vineyard in Cahors (since 1983) and chemicals have never been used.

THE PRODUCER: Perched above the Lot outside Puy l'Eveque, where Louis and Charlotte settled, the soils are heavy clay, rich in iron deposits and a sub soil of limestone rock, very different from the sandier soils down by the Lot that Simon has. The bulk of the vineyards are planted around the house, mostly old plantations of Côt. The perception of wines from Cahors is that of inky darkness marked by fearsome tannins. But the Pérots manage to make wines that have such a mineral lift to them whilst maintaining the richness of colour and weight of Côt.