From the birthplace of Malbec, its finest
expression!
Just in. The new vintage of Petit Clos 2007. Fabulous stuff. Don't miss it!
"It is impossible to separate Clos Triguedina
from the name Cahors. Jean-Luc Baldes is a
passionate grower possessed by true know-how
and the determination to produce wines of
great distinction..." -La Revue du Vin de
France
Every time I serve Petit Clos at a
tasting, it comes out way ahead of far more
expensive wines. It's a big wine for the
price; vineyard owner Jean-Luc Baldes
suggests a half hour of decanting before
drinking.
The cepage is 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot.
Petit Clos is aged partially in oak.
There is
severe selection and a green harvest in the
vineyard. You will taste red fruits and some
licorice.
Jean-Luc Baldes took over this Domaine in
1990 and has put this estate in the elite of
Cahors growers. The Domaine is old, back to
1830. The name Clos Triguedina means "Longing
to dine" in the ancient Occitane, and I can
relate to that.
There are few things better than a duck
breast sizzling and a glass of Clos
Triguedina.
It doesn't hurt that Clos Triguedina has the
best vineyards in Cahors; perfectly placed on
the best terraces and the soil is clay
limestone to drain and yet retain the water
down near the roots where it's needed.
The wine is aged in one and two-year-old
barrels.
For me, this is the wine you come upon after
swilling a tsunami of humdrum juice and you
set down your glass and say, "Okay, thank
God, I'm done. I've found what I'm after."
This was pretty much what happened to me some
years ago at a tasting in the south of
France. I said, "Let's get this stuff in a
container and into my cellar!"
This wine has beguiling roundness and
wonderful black and red fruits. Put something
different in your glass tonight. Who knows
where it may lead?
Cynthia Hurley
