Château Lagrézette Seigneur de Grezette Grande Réserve Cahors Malbec 2019

The 2019 Château Lagrézette Seigneur de Grezette Grande Réserve Cahors Malbec is a polished, sophisticated version of Malbec from its ancient homeland. Aromatic with the savory scents of red cherry, currant, and dark plum, it entices the nose. In the mouth, it is refined and persistent, offering a satisfying mélange of red and black fruits mingled with hints of forest woodlands. Château Lagrézette’s 2019 Seigneur de Grezette offers a satisfying balance of power and grace, abundant fruit and forest flavors, all of which are carried on ripe tannins to a delightful exit down the throat. Afford it a few minutes of aeration and enjoy this authentic Cahors Malbec now and often at cool room temperature (58°-62° F). Anticipated maturity: 2023-2028. Enjoy!

Cahors is traditionally enjoyed with hearty country cooking, grilled meats, or as a means to ward off the chill of night. Cassoulet, sausage and bean dishes, game, and thick, heady meat and vegetable stews provide superb accompaniments to the 2019 Château Lagrézette Seigneur de Grezette Grande Réserve Cahors Malbec. Duck Confit, marinated steaks, lamb chops, poultry, and sizzling beef fajitas provide tasty accompaniments, too. Charcuterie, Gorgonzola and pear pizzas, and thick slices of cow or sheep’s milk cheeses with plenty of crusty French bread make for good company, too. Penne pasta served with a heady marinara sauce, roasted eggplant, and grated Parmesan makes for another tasty partner to Château Lagrézette’s 2019 Seigneur de Grezette Grande Réserve Cahors Malbec. And, as there is no wimp in this wine, it pairs well with spicy dishes, even a little heat. Bon Appétit!

The 2019 Château Lagrézette Seigneur de Grezette Grande Réserve Cahors Malbec makes an ideal accompaniment to fine cheeses. Creamy Harvarti, Munster, Cheddar, and Double Gloucester beautifully complement this Cahors Malbec. Aged Gouda and Pecorino Toscano also provide flavorful companions to the 2019 Château Lagrézette Seigneur de Grezette, especially when served at the end of a fine meal. For more superb wine and cheese pairings or to learn more about gourmet cheeses, join us at www.cheesemonthclub.com. Enjoy!

Château Lagrézette is reputed to be the oldest winemaking property in Cahors, the ancestral home of Malbec and the source of the region’s traditional “black wine.” Written records dating back to 1503 attest to Château Lagrézette producing the first recorded harvest in the venerable Cahors appellation. A painstakingly restored 16th century castle dominates the property and is surrounded by 60 acres of the appellation’s traditional vines: Malbec, Merlot, and Tannat. Château Lagrézette possesses additional vineyard sites in Landiech and historic Rocamadour. Since 1982, Lagrézette has been classified as a Historic Monument, and it is very much a living, working enterprise.

Château Lagrézette fell into disrepair in the 20th century and was abandoned in the 1970s. Alain Perrin, former CEO of Cartier International, purchased the castle in 1980 and fully restored the 16th century estate. Perrin has spent decades rehabilitating the vineyards and winery alongside world-renowned oenologist Michel Rolland. They tore out the property’s hybrid vines, replacing them with traditional Malbec, and since 2007 resident winemaker Cédric Blanc has fashioned a bevy of the most highly rated Malbec wines in France, garnering high 90 point ratings from this nation’s most prominent critics and publications: Wine Spectator, Robert Parker Jr., Jeb Dunnuck, and Wine Enthusiast. Together Perrin’s team has spent more than 40 years elevating Château Lagrézette and its wine to “the most elegant, sophisticated expression of Malbec in France.”

Château Lagrézette produces an array of outstanding Malbec wines from Cahors, beginning with the property’s delicious and refined Seigneur de Grezette (this month’s feature) and culminating with the rare and iconic Pigeonnier Lagrézette. Outstanding Viognier and Rosé also emanate from this ancient and historic property and shouldn’t be missed.

Malbec is an important red grape variety traditionally associated with the wines of Southwest France. It is also one of the original red wine grapes of Bordeaux where it is often referred to as Côt or Pressac. While Malbec is no longer as prominent in Bordeaux as it once was, it still finds its way into many of the region’s red wines and it remains one of the six traditional red grape varieties permitted in red Bordeaux along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenère, Merlot and Petit Verdot. However, southeast of Bordeaux in the region of Cahors, Malbec still reigns supreme. It is the chief grape used in what historically has been called the “black wine” of Cahors.

Today, Argentina appears as the face of Malbec to most contemporary American wine drinkers. It is Argentina’s most important grape variety, both in terms of quality and quantity. The best Argentine Malbecs are age-worthy wines of great distinction, thanks to their French connection. Nevertheless, the traditional “black wine” of Cahors remains a reference point for Malbec. The finest Cahors are both polished and sophisticated. They are made exclusively from Malbec grapes grown on the terraces above the river Lot, and they are capable of ageing to perfection for up to a decade or more.