Jean-Luc Baldès has made this selection of top vintages which are now ready to drink.

NEW BLACK WINE: 2008
Cuvée d'Exception.
Estate Bottled.

AN EXCEPTIONAL WINE!
Its name dates back to the time when the local wine-growers heated some of the grape bunches or the "musts" to produce the so-called "black wines" of Cahors. In echoing these historic origins, Jean-Luc Baldès wanted to recall that such wines were particularly popular with the English in the Middle Ages.

Tasting advice:
- Can be drunk as an aperitif or as a strong and tasty liqueur, served at 17 C. - Must be decanted. - Goes well with braised red meats, game or with a slightly spiced dish such as duck in orange sauce. - No question, either, that it matches perfectly well with exotic sweet-and-sour dishes, or even with a chocolate dessert.

Location:
At Puy l'Evêque, in the heart of the Appellation region west of Cahors

Soil:
Grown on a plot of 1,30 hectare, a selection of the best parts of the oldest and most reputed vineyard in the Appellation region. Silicious clay or clay-and-limestone soil, on the slight slopes of the River Lot's third terraces.

Grape variety:
100% old Malbec vines Severe single Guyot pruning. 6,000 plants per hectare.

In the vineyard:
Traditional growing methods; soil ploughed; supervised control; severe pruning; removal of unwanted new shoots; thinning out of the grape bunches and of the leaves. .

Harvest:
The grapes are hand-picked, sorted carefully on to trays, and then gently heated to further dessicate the already fully ripe grapes.

Vinification:
Traditional fermentation in tanks, after a fall in temperature, then matured in oak casks for 18 months.

Comments:
- Wine: Very limited production.
- Colour: Dark black, - hence the name.
- Nose: Dry fruits, candied fruits, liquorice.
- In the mouth: An astonishing variety of flavours. This is a wine of great complexity.
- Laying down: Will probably keep for 20-30 years.