Winemaker Notes
Deep, rich color of impressive density. Plenty of body and a good lenght. The powerful tannins are softened by a well-integrated oak from ageing in barrels. Intense nose of back fruits like blackcurrant and mixed spices.
A great pairing with poultry, game, cheeses, all rich foods.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The bold and deeply expressive 2018 Château Leret Monpezat Malbec de Cahors captures the raw authority of the appellation, layering ripe black fruits with dark plum, crushed blackberry, and a pronounced thread of licorice. Broad-shouldered yet focused, it delivers firm structure and earthy undertones that promise rewarding evolution from 2028 through 2036. This is a wine that demands short ribs—but make them cool: slow-braise them in Malbec with star anise, black pepper, and a touch of espresso, then reduce the braising liquid to a glossy, savory glaze. Finish with flaky sea salt and serve over creamy celery root purée or charred polenta, with a scatter of gremolata to lift the richness. The wine’s dark fruit and licorice depth will lock into the ribs’ intensity, while its structure slices cleanly through the silkiness, turning comfort food into something confidently modern and a little bit dangerous. (Tasted: February 17, 2026, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Enthusiast
A comfortable blend of Malbec and Merlot gives a wine that is balanced with dark fruits and acidity. It is a fine wine, with serious tannins and a mineral texture and acidity that promise aging.
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James Suckling
Ripe plums, raspberries, cloves, walnuts, thyme and tar on the nose. Medium-to full-bodied with firm, smooth tannins. Compact, firm and a little austere.
Owners of approximatively 150 hectares of vineyards in the Southwest France, the Vigouroux family are the specialists in France when it comes to producing Malbec wines. With focus on the black wine since 1887, their four wineries and Chateaux offer various styles of wines, from the plateau to the different terraces…
A know-how practiced for several generations and an expertise in the Malbec grape variety, historic chateaux, a high gross rate of their brands, a qualitative distribution, completed by an exceptional agritourism offer, Bertrand-Gabriel Vigouroux is open to the world, committed to maintaining his roots and regional values.
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
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.