Château du Cèdre 'Cèdre Heritage', Cahors, Sud-Ouest, France 2022

Château du Cèdre stands as a reference point in Cahors, producing some of the region’s most elegant and age-worthy expressions of Malbec. Run by brothers Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe, the estate farms organically and crafts wines that balance power with finesse—showcasing the limestone and gravel terroirs that define this historic appellation. The 2022 vintage continues their legacy of precision and depth, revealing a wine that is both approachable young and built to evolve beautifully over time.

• WINEMAKERS: Pascal & Jean-Marc Verhaeghe
• FARMING: Certified Organic
• VARIETIES: 90% Malbec, 5% Merlot, 5% Tannat
• TERROIR: Estate vineyards on the limestone plateaus and clay-gravel terraces of Cahors, where organically farmed vines produce fruit of remarkable concentration and freshness. The region’s sunny days and cool nights allow for balanced ripening and natural acidity.
• VINIFICATION: Grapes are hand-harvested, fully de-stemmed, and fermented for 30 days with daily punch-downs for gentle extraction. Native yeasts initiate fermentation, and minimal sulfur is used throughout the process.
• AGING: Aged for 20 months in large foudres and 25% new French oak barrels to integrate tannins and add complexity. Bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve purity and texture.
• TASTING NOTES: Deep garnet in color with aromas of plum, blueberry, and dried herbs, accented by baking spice, licorice, and a touch of toast. The palate is supple and layered, offering ripe black fruit framed by chalky tannins and bright acidity. Medium- to full-bodied, it delivers both power and refinement, finishing long with savory spice and mineral freshness.
• FOOD PAIRINGS: Ideal with duck breast, cassoulet, and slow-braised meats, or hearty stews and pasta with wild mushrooms.
• SCORES: 92 points – Roger Voss, Wine Enthusiast
• AGING POTENTIAL: Enjoyable now for its vibrancy, but best from 2026 onward as it gains further complexity and depth.