2018 Crocus Malbec de Cahors L’Atelier
2018 Crocus Malbec de Cahors L’Atelier, Malbec from Cahors, Southwest, France
Crocus is a partnership between internationally renowned winemaker and Malbec specialist Paul Hobbs, and Bertrand Vigouroux, whose family has been producing wine in Cahors, France since the 1860’s.
Paul’s work with malbec in Mendoza, Argentina brought world-wide attention to the variety, and provided inspiration for new styles to emerge. The Vigouroux family has over 150 years of experience with malbec in Cahors, where the grape has flourished since Roman times.
Within the Southwest of France, this is the one region outside of Argentina that is today almost exclusively dependent on Malbec. Locally the variety is called Cot, and makes a dense, earthy and black fruit dominant red wine. Both the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean both have a strong influence on the climate of this region.
L’Atelier emphasizes authentic Cahors Malbec with a hint of modernity, showing a very accessible wine with bright fruit and rustic earthiness.
Vineyard: High density planting
Winemaking: Fermentations in stainless steel tanks, No barrel ageing
“L’Atelier refers to the artisan’s ‘workshop’, where skill, creativity and passion make art. Inspired by the diverse palette of Cahors terroirs, Hobbs and Vigouroux craft this wine from the vineyard deftly revealing a Malbec of structure and elegance, singular to these ancient soils.”
Growing Season
We had a wet spring, but summer had ideal conditions for the grape growth. Weather-wise, beginning of September was drier than previous years which concentrate the berries. A consecrated rain at the end of the month gives to the fruit the optimum condition to finish the maturity.
Tasting Notes
Dark garnet color. Fresh aromas of violet, cherry blossom and wild flowers seamlessly blend with red and black fruit such as Burlat cherry and blackcurrant jam, finishing with a hint of spice. The palate is smooth, giving black cherry, fresh raspberry and ripe blueberry flavors, finishing with firm tannins and bright acidity.
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