Description
Château du Cèdre is widely regarded as the leading estate in Cahors.
Brothers Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe, both qualified oenologists, can trace its history back to their grandfather Léon who left his native Flanders to settle in south-west France in the early 1900s.
In due course Léon’s son Charles and his wife Marie-Thérèse started a mixed farm in 1958 and began planting one hectare of vines in three different plots every year.
Today, Château du Cèdre comprises 27ha of vineyards planted at 4000-5500 vines per hectare on some of the most prized terroirs in Cahors, most notably the famous troisième + 4th terrasses which are located just below the cliffs of the valley.
These sites typically have more limestone terroir giving great freshness and while the most prized of these terraces are the 4th terraces which make up just 2% of Cahors, Chateau du Cedre owns 55% of these very best terraces.
In keeping with the long history of Cahors, 90% of the vineyard is planted to Malbec (known locally as both Cot and Auxerrois), with 5% Merlot (now known to be a half-sibling of Malbec) and 5% Tannat.
There is also 1ha of Viognier and a little of the Bordeaux whites, Sémillon, Muscadelle and Sauvignon Blanc.
For the 2015 vintage of Château du Cèdre Cahors Extra Libre Le Cèdre Malbec, the fruit has been certified organically grown, completely destemmed, and fermented in concrete tanks for a total of 30 days without the use of any sulphur.
Again without sulphur, aged for 18 months in large oak barrels.
This wine is vegan-friendly and is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
On the nose, fresh bread, with delicate marmalade of raspberries, cassis and strawberries, still refined by some floral scent.
Spicy aromas of black pepper, cardamom and anise complete the picture.
The palate is dense, young tannins in the foreground, but surrounded by fresh, soft juiciness.
Still a bit closed, the wine already offers a clear sketch of its complexity.
– In Vino Veritas Belgium, January 2018 The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Malbec Country – France Region – South West France Vintage – 2015 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 13% Other – Organic
