Chateau Du Cedre, Heritage Malbec, Cahors, France

Welcome to the Malbec mother-ship! Although the grape variety made its name in recent years in far away Argentina, this quiet little corner of south west France is its original home. At Chateau de Cedre, Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe use what they describe as a “Burgundian philosophy of valuing the terroir with Bordeaux vinification techniques”, informed by “years of observation and reflection” and make wines that are true to place and unequivocally French in style. While Argentinean Malbecs, grown at high altitude in a very different climate, are often intensely fruity, this one from Cahors is more savoury and has a characteristic violet and herb nose, and dark fruit flavours on the palate. Delicious with a wintry stew or some mature cheese.