SILVER – DECANTER World Wine Awards 2008

91/100 Wine Enthusiast (USA)

100% Malbec from 25 years old vines.
Garnet red and even darker wine than the Ch Haute-Monplaisir Tradition and definitely more serious. The nose is intense, with notes of red fruit, spices and blackberry jam. Sweet fruits dominate this wine. It still has all the right black tannins and berry fruits, but it also has great ripeness. Crisp and balanced with blackcurrant and cherry on the palate. Also dark chocolate, spices and a mineral note. Prominent tannins and lovely acidity. Finishes with mouthfilling juiciness., good length and complexity. It has been said this wine would put many classed-growth clarets to shame. Definitely a food wine.

Classified as a “feisty and powerful” Cahors, these are more vinous and structured than the “tender and fruity” style. These Cahors boast complex fruit. Perfect food partners are lamb, duck breasts and cassoulet. They enjoy being served with crepes, walnuts and chestnuts - food that evokes the terroir. With age, once their tannins have melted, they go well with strong, tangy, semi-hard to hard cheeses like cheddar and French Cantal.

Cathy and Daniel Fournié of Haut-Monplaisir farm 44.5 acres on what the locals call the third terrace of the valley floor. These terraces, or benches, are layered gravel deposits left by the river over the ages. There are three such terraces in the valley; the third is the highest, furthest from the
Lot river and the best by virtue of its well-drained soils.

Cathy and Daniel work with the dynamic Pascal Verhaeghe of Château du Cèdre (also wine maker of our Cedrus Cahors) whose vineyards grow on the second terrace. Pascal immediately saw the potential of Haut Monplaisir's site. Together Pascal and Daniel are responsible for the wines of Haut Monplaisir.

Drinking beautifully now or cellar until 2019.

Healthy heart rating ♥♥♥♥ - vintage 2005