Chateau Lamartine Cuvee Particuliere Cahors 2008
-
Enthusiast
Wine
Product Details
Your Rating
Somm Note
Winemaker Notes
Professional Ratings
-
Wine Enthusiast
Densely tannic, it's dry core overlaid by delicious jammy flavors. Black plums, damsons and an edge of light roast coffee join acidity that pushes through at the end. Certainly for aging. Cellar Selection.
Chateau Lamartine was built in 1922 on the site of a century old oak tree. Local legend recounts that in the Middle Ages this was where Martine, the daughter of the local Baron, would meet her various suitors. This family property dates back to the Middle Ages, and the vineyards have survived the Gallo-Roman wars as well the invasion of phylloxera in 1878. Born in the Chateau, the current winemaker/owner, Alain Gayraud, took over from his grandparents in 1975.
Encompassing 28 hectares of vines ranging in age from 20 to 120 years old, the Domaine is in the westernmost reaches of the Cahors appellation, making Chateau Lamartine the only Cahors Domaine that benefits from the Atlantic influence. The vineyards here dominate the best micro-climate along the Lot River, and all of the plots are south facing on the oldest terraces in the appellation, where the soil is a limestone base with lots of stones.
The grape of Cahors is known by several names. The ancient name of Auxerrois is rarely ever used. Instead the locals call this dark inky berry Cot. In other parts of the world it is known as Malbec. Alain maintains sustainable agricultural practices and does a minimum of 2,000 hours worth of green harvesting per vintage in order to attain the naturally low yields he seeks. The depth of the roots mean that the vines are very rarely over stressed, even in the hottest of years. The total production is always around 10,000 cases a year.
Setting the standards for red wine production worldwide, France holds rank as the source of the world’s most popular red grape varieties. Famous for their elegance, grace and longevity, the red wines of France come in a variety of styles.
Burgundy claims some of the most desirable vineyard real estate on the planet and remains a source of the world’s most coveted Pinot noir. A powerhouse producer of red wines based on Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, Bordeaux sits on France’s western side, separated from the Atlantic Ocean by a coastal pine forest. The region’s mild, maritime climate and gravel-heavy soils are perfect for the production of highly structured, cellar-worthy red wines. In the south, the long and narrow Rhône River Valley produces full-bodied, flavorful reds. Syrah makes its home in the Northern Rhône where a continental climate and steep hillside vineyards create some of the best in the world. Southern Rhône’s Grenache-based blends easily charm most any wine enthusiast. For those after a more delicate red, the Loire Valley’s Cabernet Franc maintains a loyal line of followers.