Winemaker Notes
Cent Visages, meaning 100 faces, is the name Jean-François gives to his cuvée of 100% Côt (Malbec) from a single vineyard in St. Julien de Chedon. These 50 year old vines are an old massale selection of Cot and ones which are the source for many of his new plantings. Cent Visage is fermented in concrete tanks by natural yeasts and aged in concrete for at least 24 months before bottling.
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.
Stretching east along the steep banks of the Loire River, Touraine is a major part of the Middle Loire. Soil variations of clay, sand, tuffeau and gravel throughout its subregions support both white and red varieties. Chinon and Bourgueil remain the source of Loire’s finest Cabernet Franc; various styles of the most outstanding Chenin blanc come from Vouvray and Montlouis.