France: Le Cèdre 2020 - Château du Cèdre, Malbec, Cahors (Organic)

Grape variety: 100% Malbec. 13.5% alcohol. Certified organic.

Oldest vineyard blocks date back to 1958. Cahors is 230km south-east of Bordeaux on the river Lot. 

An incredibly important, heroic producer of this region, Château du Cèdre is regarded as the benchmark estate of Cahors, not only credited for raising the region's reputation from the doldrums but also for elevating Malbec to international acclaim.

Owned and run by the Verhaeghe family of Belgian origin, they were determined from their very first vintage of 1973 to focus solely on quality in a region where the wines had a quite frankly horrific reputation for being tannic, rustic, and dirt cheap. Pursuing quality is MUCH harder work; while in this case being much better for the planet. 

They quickly showed there was another way: complete avoidance of chemical pesticides, striving for quality via meticulous attention to detail in both vineyard and winery, very low yields, seeking out the best areas for new plantings, gentle extraction in the winery, long ageing in large-format oak, minimal new oak, restrained sulphur additions thanks to scrupulous winery hygiene, and constant experimentation. 

From 40 year old vines. 24 months ageing in 5,700-litre casks and 500-litre barrels. A rich, structured, yet incredibly graceful Malbec that brims with freshness and finesse.

While perhaps not exactly cheap by most people's standards - although do bear in mind that you might routinely pay £41 for a much lower quality bottle in a restaurant - a Bordeaux of this quality would be at least double the price! 

For its quality, in a fine wine context, this is a great value wine - indeed all of Château du Cèdre's wines are renowned for their great quality:price ratio.

You'd pay anything upwards of £90 in a restaurant for this wine, so it makes sense to cook up a steak and drink this legendary wine at home....

Red Wine Headaches:

Several people - including myself - who struggle with headaches the day after drinking some reds have told me that this wine (as well as the cheaper du Cèdre red in our online shop) doesn't give them a headache at all. I can also vouch for this. Of course this is no guarantee for everyone, but it's a good sign! 

Food Pairing:

Pan-seared steak, roast lamb, duck breast or confit, venison, mushroom dishes, lentils, charcuterie, aged hard cheeses, or earthy vegetable sides. The perfect wine to go with a classic steak with mushrooms! 

What the critics say:

92 points, Wine Enthusiast: "powerfully juicy and rich...with considerable potential. Organic." 

94 points, Revue des Vins de France

92 points, Robert Parker, Wine Advocate