preaching to the Cahors

[Michel_Abood]

@Zachary Ross

Chateau de Gaudou is an excellent, mostly traditional producer that board member Michel Abood imports. The Tradition is a great, uh, tradtionally made cuvée, and the Renaissance, which sees some new oak, is also terrific.

Hey Zach,

Thanks for the shout-out! (your check is in the mail )

Gaudou’s been making wine since 1733 and the winemaker Fabrice is really hungry and talented. Two of his cuvees are in the NY area and, as you said, are made in the more traditional style than the oakier wines. All his vineyards are on hillsides with a mix of ages, with great drainage and fantastic terroirs.

Disclaimer: I am terribly biased as I represent them so YMMV.

[Zachary_Ross]

@Michel Gaudou

Hey Zach,

Thanks for the shout-out! (your check is in the mail )

Gaudou’s been making wine since 1733 and the winemaker Fabrice is really hungry and talented. Three of his cuvees are in the NY area and, as you said, are made in the more traditional style than the oakier wines. All his vineyards are on hillsides with a mix of ages, with great drainage and fantastic terroirs.

Disclaimer: I am terribly biased as I represent them so YMMV.

Gaudou is praiseworthy, indeed.

Is the Renaissance available in the NYC area? I’ve seen the 1733 and the Tradition (and bought plenty of both), but never the Renaissance.

[Michel_Abood]

@Zachary Ross

@Michel Gaudou

Hey Zach,

Thanks for the shout-out! (your check is in the mail )

Gaudou’s been making wine since 1733 and the winemaker Fabrice is really hungry and talented. Three of his cuvees are in the NY area and, as you said, are made in the more traditional style than the oakier wines. All his vineyards are on hillsides with a mix of ages, with great drainage and fantastic terroirs.

Disclaimer: I am terribly biased as I represent them so YMMV.

Gaudou is praiseworthy, indeed.

Is the Renaissance available in the NYC area? I’ve seen the 1733 and the Tradition (and bought plenty of both), but never the Renaissance.

Whoops, my bad, the Renaissance has not been imported yet, it has been sampled, so keeping fingers crossed.

[Tim_Corliss]

Popped into a bevmo yesterday and they had an 03 Lagrezette. Looking forward to seeing how much of a disaster malbec has been in France

[Zachary_Ross]

It sucks!

I mean, obviously.

[Tim_Corliss]

Opened the 03 Lagrezette this afternoon to give it a little air. A little wood/oak on the nose. Juicy dark fruit with some pepper and fig notes. Some might not like the oak influence, but I am not oak adverse at all…usually like its contributions. Smooth texture and some ripe chewy tannins that build on the finish.

I’d have liked this much more if it were $12-$15…but not quite as interesting at $25. That said, good enough to keep me interested and wanting to continue exploring Cahors.

[Michel_Abood]

@Tim Corliss

Popped into a bevmo yesterday and they had an 03 Lagrezette. Looking forward to seeing how much of a disaster malbec has been in France

My favorite comment came from a woman at a store tasting where I was pouring the Gaudou 1733 (100% Malbec, stainless steel, low yields, etc…). She asked what it was, and when I said Malbec, she replied, “Oh, wow, they’re making Malbec in France now?”

[Zachary_Ross]

@Michel Abood

@Tim Corliss

Popped into a bevmo yesterday and they had an 03 Lagrezette. Looking forward to seeing how much of a disaster malbec has been in France

My favorite comment came from a woman at a store tasting where I was pouring the Gaudou 1733 (100% Malbec, stainless steel, low yields, etc…). She asked what it was, and when I said Malbec, she replied, “Oh, wow, they’re making Malbec in France now?”

Yeah. It is somewhat sad to see Cahors domaines now putting the Malbec name on their labels in order to capitalize on consumer awareness of the Malbec “brand,” but I can’t say I blame them.

[Scott_McArthur]

Zach,
Great thread! I have been on the Cahors wagon since the early 90s with the few representatives we get here; Lagrezette (every vintage since 93, maybe slightly earlier but, I don’t have notes handy), Clos Triguedina and du Cedre mainly. I find them to be nasty bastards young though I did find a CHÂTEAU HAUT-MONPLAISIR TRADITION 2006 almost drinkable recently??? We have one 96 Lagrezette left. Just recently I had a beautiful 95 Lagrezette, though I must admit, I prefered the 94s. I acquired these back when I was just starting the wine journey and these were reputed to be ageworthy and I could afford them. It was a good call.

[Arv_R]

This is a modern Cahors, brought over by MISA/Costco and is more on the ruby/purple side, rather than the classic black wine of the AOC. In fact the 2021 Ch. de Grezels ‘Prestige’ [Cahors] even notes on the front label that its blend is malbec and merlot, 70% and 30% respectively, for those who might not know what varietal ‘cot’ might be. On the first night, I found it thin, lean, and acidic – worlds different than a plump Washington (!) malbec from last week. But after a day open, it fleshed out nicely and became enjoyable. It has a medium body, ruby hue, tangy acidity and then pepper on the nose. Among the flavors the back label promises: currants, fresh herbs, leafy tannins, and a crunchy finish. I actually found all of those to be accurate descriptions that lined up with my experience. I quite enjoyed this, and it would be appeal to Francophile seeking a malbec blend, even when the marketplace seems to now prefer max throttle South American expressions. Props to the buyers at everyone’s favorite warehouse for bringing this over and taking a chance on selling this to middle America at a shockingly low price. B+ on my scorecard, if it can get some air, and one likes the ‘country French’ reds. Agglomerated cork. 13.5% abv.

And honestly, kudos to any importers carrying the flag for this region. I do try KLWM’s Clos Coutale every few years, but it never excites me, and despite its modest price, I can always think of other near peers I’d rather have.