Chateau Pineraie, Cahors Malbec, 2012
Cahors has a long tradition of winemaking and according to a manuscript dating from 1456 AD, the Burc family of Chateau Pineraie were already land owners at that time. Five generations later, vigneron Jean-Luc Burc shares a 50-hectare estate with his two daughters, Anne and Emmanuelle, proximal to Puy-l’Eveque. The estate includes the classic terroirs of Cahors including terraced vineyards overlooking the river Lot. The Burc family carefully follows the Terra Vitis certification which respects both the vine and the consumer, and uses very mindful winemaking traditions.Â
Chateaus Pinerai’s 2012 blend is that of Malbec (85%, locally known as Côt) and Merlot (15%). The vines grow in chalky, old alluvium as well as in limestone terrain from differential elevations. Sustainable farming practices are used, grapes are hand-plucked and yield is restrained to 40 hectolitres per hectare, to assure the highest quality. Maceration is between 20-25 days in temperature-regulated stainless steel tanks. Oak barrel aging lasts for a period of 12 months. Light filtering does occur before bottling however only modestly to preserve the true character of the wine.
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To the eye, the wine is characteristically Cahors, with black-hued dark purple tints. It has a powerful nose with jammy black fruits, including plum and blackberry, with spice. Aging in oak imparts the essence of vanilla. The wine pairs nicely with meat and game, along with cream-based sauces. In addition, it is very complementary with hard, aged cheeses.
© 2019 – Healthiest Pour
85% Malbec, 15% Merlot
30 years old
20-25 days
Light fining, light filtration
12 months oak aging in old and new French oak
Sustainable vineyard management and hand-harvesting
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8.6/10
