Probus: 2006
Cuvée Prestige.
Estate Bottled.

In 96 A.D., the Roman emperor Domitian ordered France's vines to be grubbed up and cereals to be grown instead. In 280 A.D., after the order was annulled by another emperor, Probus, the vine was planted in the Quercy region once again. It was in tribute to him that Jean, the father of Jean-Luc Baldès, created the first cuvée of this top-of-the-range Appellation Cahors wine in 1976.

A WINE OF HIGHEST QUALITY!

Tasting advice
- Can be drunk young if decanted an hour before serving it.
- Is sure to improve with age.
- We recommend serving Probus at 16° -17° C.
- It goes well with Quercy and Périgord specialities such as confit (preserved duck), magret (breast of
duck), farm-bred lamb, rib of beef, cassoulet, and cheese (Reblochon, Cantal, Comté, and many others).

Location:
On Triguedina's oldest and best-exposed plots of land, within the communes of Vire sur Lot and Puy l'Evêque.

Soil:
Silicious clay and clay-and-limestone, on the slightly sloping third terraces of the River Lot.

Grape Variety:
100% Malbec. Old vines dating back more than half a century, with the best exposure in the vineyard. 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:
Grapes picked by hand, with subsequent selection on a sorting table.

Vinification:
Separate viinification. The final selection is made through tasting. Total destalking. Fermentation for 20-25 days or more. Final temperature of 30°-32°C, thus preserving the authentic character. Running off under heat prior to maturing for 18 months in new oak barrels from the Allier department selected from the best coopers in France. Each barrel is tasted, so that the best oaky wines are blended.

Comments:
- Colour: Dark purplish red, with bright glints.
- Nose: Black fruits and a subtle oaky aroma.
- In the mouth: Complex, long finish, rich and balanced.
- Keeping : Can be drunk young if decanted, but is made to be laid down.