La Calmette - Butte Rouge 2020

(Cahors, France) 

100% Malbec from the estate's most limited and prized parcel. All of the grapes come from 'Butte Rouge,' a plot with the rare combination of siderolithic red clay sitting on top of Kimmeridgian rock. The clay is so iron-rich that it is possible to find rusty iron stones in between the vines. Only the best and healthiest bunches of grapes are used here, they are fermented in concrete vats and aged in a 1000L 'foudre' for two years prior to bottling. This is a real 'Grand Vin' that over delivers on all fronts. Out of their three top cuvées it is the leanest in terms of density, and perhaps the most delicate. It has an undeniable mineral streak and tension, and a pronounced blood orange zestiness with a long and gratifying finish.

Domaine La Calmette was started in 2015 by Maya & Nicolas, a talented couple who bring not only a thorough knowledge of viticulture but also a meticulously researched scientific backbone to their natural wines. Explosive, bursting with life and vibrancy.