Cosse et Maisonneuve Les Beraudies Merlot-Malbec 2012

Matthieu Cosse and Catherine Maisonneuve have fifteen hectares of vineyard near Cahors, which they farm biodynamically. As well as Malbec (the grape of Cahors, known locally as Cot), they have other varieties including a small parcel of seventy year old Merlot vines. This old vineyard provides most of the blend for Les Beraudies. It must have started life in 2011 as a very rich red. Following seven years of ageing in old oak and concrete, then a little more in bottle, it still has enormous reserves of deep, plummy, fruit flavour and a silky richness, but the tannins are soft and the wine harmonious. This is mature Merlot from a hot climate, but what really impresses is its freshness and life, with lovely acidity cutting through all that ripe fruit and making it both rich and refreshing.