The quality of these Malbec wines has been transformed in the past decade said our tasters, meaning there's never been a better time to rediscover the region. See the top rated Cahors wines here...
Château Vincens, Origine 2011
Decanter average score:
Philippe Vincens took over this property in 2008. The family bought its first vineyard in 1919 and sold grapes to the coop until 1982 when it decided to vinify and bottle its own wines. Vincens makes his wines from vineyards on the plateau, where he encourages biodiversity and green-harvests to maintain low yields. The average age of the vines is 30 years. Vincens produces several cuvées, but Origine, which contains 10% Merlot, is one of the most basic and is machine-harvested. Aged in older barriques, it demonstrates that great Cahors doesn’t require lashings of new oak.
Stephen Brook Sweet, ripe damson nose has fruit purity despite the power. Mediumbodied, sleek and velvety, very concentrated but not too extracted. Shows good underlying acidity and there’s no sign of heat from the alcohol. Sumptuous, hedonistic and surprisingly elegant.
Ben Llewelyn Bright, expressive nose, underpinned by camphor and incense. The palate is full of sweet mulberries and spice with notes of violet. The finish is long, well-honed and leaves a very attractive perfume of violet and prunes.
Anthony Rose Lots of sweet blackberry, cinnamon, camphor and spice on the nose. Good, ripe, sweet rich mid-palate of black cherry and blackberry fruit concentration with firm, sinewy structure behind it. Big-boned and intense, it’s still almost elemental for its age. A chunky monkey to be sure. Lovely.
Price £20 Best of Wines
Drink 2016-2024
Alc 15%
