This sulphur-free, natural wine celebrates its third birthday with the 2016 vintage and shows quite a character for its young years. Fresh berries like raspberries, strawberries and blackcurrants prevail in the nose, while a hint of lemon peel and black pepper give heaps of energy to the bouquet. It furthermore expresses the entire exuberance that characterizes the 2016 vintage in Cahors and elsewhere in France through its juicy taste and crisp tannins. Some spices and dried fruit complete the wine on the finish and shout loudly: “À TABLE”!

Prepare a delicious dish of juicy meat: lamb shoulder with Moroccan spices, coq au-vin, roast pork... A vegetarian couscous is also an excellent choice, as well as grilled wholemeal bread with aubergine paste, black olives and goat’s cheese.

SANTA DUC

"On behalf of the whole team of Domaine Santa Duc, we would like to wish you a healthy and successful New Year. May it be full of surprising encounters, tastings and discoveries.
With this in mind, we invite you to a first rendezvous at the organic wine fair “Millésime Bio” in Montpellier from January 29^th to 31^st . You will find us in Hall 2, Stand 180."

Yves et Benjamin Gras

CHÂTEAU DU CÈDRE

“Together with Accents & Terroirs and some winemaker friends, we will soon be on our way again to present our wines at various European fairs, as always at the beginning of the year. Millésime Bio in Montpellier will make the start, followed by Vinisud and Pro Wein. This year, we will be presenting the promising 2015 vintage, with the Cuvées Château du Cèdre, Le Cèdre and GC, as well as the sulfur-free Cuvée Extra Libre “Le Cèdre” 2016 and Extra Libre 2017.”

Jean-Marc et Pascal Verhaeghe

Spirits fascinate me. They present the quintessence of fruit and fermentation and act as a true enhancer of terrois and the “savoir faire”. Abominable “fire water”, when prepared without care, the best among them equal the greatest wines of this world with ease.

Recently, I paid a visit to the brothers Verhaeghe in Cahors and came to enjoy their “Eau de Vie de Marc de GC”. A name that requires some explanation. GC is the name of the top wine of the estate. Made exclusively from Malbec, it’s both fermented and aged in wood for 24 months. A monarch among the top wines of this world, of unimagined elegance and with impressive ageing potential.

The above-mentioned Eau de Vie is distilled from its pomace by the talented distiller Mr. Cazottes. Distilled twice, with separation of the first and last distillate, since only the medium, high-quality liquid is stored and ripened in the steel tank. No wood, no barrique, to preserve the pure essence of the fruit. A pleasant fragrance of fruits floats across the table as soon as the bottle is opened. White fruits especially, with pears, melons and peach, accompanied by a pleasant spiciness of pepper and cedar, bringing us back the the origin of Cahors and Malbec!

On the palate, the spirit shows its soft, rather viscous side and carries the intense aroma of this marc with a lot of energy and strength. At the bottom of the glass you’ll find a tempting cocktail of fruit, spice and flowers.

This spirit is a must, if you like some meditative silence after an animated, extensive dinner.

Some may have noticed that with the vintage 2015 our Cuvee Le Cèdre Héritage has also changed its packaging: burgundy bottle, new label with a modern, elegant design ... A new appearance, which for us is more in line with the evolution of the wine over the last years: Intense Aromas, light, fine tannins and the fresh, pleasant acidity, typical of Malbec wines from Cahors. A wine for everyone and for every table.

Château du Cèdre Cahors GC 2014
A complex nose of black berries, violet and pepper. Black fruits are dominant. Finesse and strength on the palate, it’s both delicate and powerful, already smooth mouth feel. Pure juice of high quality. With roast beef.

Château du Cèdre Cahors Le Cèdre 2014
Roasted raspberries and spicy black fruits, a hint of toastiness. Medium-bodied and fresh with clean and melting fruit. Long fruity finish. Outstanding balance. Try it with a tajine and prunes.

Although the terroir has found a way in the Cuvee Le Cèdre to express itself with elegance and finesse for many years, the wine seems to discover unprecedented liberties applying sulfur-free vinification and maturation. A proud and clear bouquet, with a fruit as fresh as if it had just been harvested. You’ll also find some floral fragrances and delicate spices, the latter coming from long ageing in large wooden tanks. Crisp freshness and a quasi-crystalline acidity, along with silky tannins and a long and full-bodied finish.

When the hand of man restrains, nature shows the true face of the wine. For us a wonderful lesson of humility and a true advocacy for non-intrusive wine making.

In many French wine-growing regions grape harvest was rather small in 2013. For this reason, the vintage remained almost unnoticed by the press. This is a pity, because it contains some jewels, which can be enjoyed already, or can still be stored for a few years in the cellar. I therefore recently opened a bottle from this vintage of the first cuvée of the Verhaeghe brothers from Cahors. Made from 90% Malbec and 10% Merlot and Tannat, the wine has been considered as a great classic from Cahors for years.

The 2013 shows the typical Cahors scent of black berries, sour cherries and cinnamon, along with some chocolate and smoke. On the palate, freshness and fresh fruit, marked by black currants, mixed with spices and cedar. The tannins are dense and fine, the finish is long and fresh, with slight, pleasant bitterness. A harmonious and characteristic wine. I love this wine because of its pleasant freshness and typical and rich aroma. Enjoy it now or store it for up to five years in the cellar.

FOOD MATCHES FOR HERBIVORES: As a real terroir wine, it loves mushrooms and roots. Make a tasty vegetable pan of carrots, celery and porcino mushrooms, seasoned with black pepper and marjoram, accompanied by basmati rice and a few walnuts.

FOOD MATCHES FOR CARNIVORES: Lamb chop with honey and thyme, grilled sausage, marinated BBQ pork ...

From the 18^th to the 21^st of June the wines of the Château du Cèdre, with or without sulfur, will be presented on the stand of Accents & Terroirs in the presence of the Malbec magician Pascal Verheaghe. Looking for pure Malbec? Come to Hall 1 Stand C310.

At Vinexpo Bordeaux, you can taste the Cuvees of Champagne J.Vignier together with Sebastian Nickel on Sunday the 18^th and Monday the 19^th of June. Fancy a 100% Chardonnay Champagne? Come to the stand «100% Blind Tasted» by Adreas Larsson, World best Sommelier in 2007, Hall 1 stand C339.