Château du Cèdre, Cahors

Château du Cèdre, in the heart of the Cahors appellation, must be regarded as the region's leading light; the refined Malbec grape reaches new heights here. Deep, dark and elegant, Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe’s wines reveal the superb terroir of the estate.

The estate is essentially organic without having the Ecocert stamp on the label. No herbicides are used, there is no spraying against rot and only organic compost is used. Lutte raisonnee and lutte biologique since 1988. A small amount of Tannat and Merlot (5% each) is used in the cuvée "Prestige" but the flagship wine "Le Cèdre" and fearfully expensive (but worth every penny) "GC" are 100% Malbec (or Auxerrois or Cot, take your pick).

The estate is on the Lot Valley's second terrace and is divided into three parcels comprising the two better soil types found in the Cahors region. The biggest parcel  of 12.5 ha to the east with a south-western exposure is chalky and rocky which contributes to the heat and water levels, yielding wines with very fine tannins and very long. The other two parcels of 5.5 ha and 7.5 ha, both south-facing are covered with galets mixed with reddish ferruginous sand at the surface and clay with flint below; the wines are stronger and more alcoholic.

Pascal also helps out at nearby Château Haut-Monplaisir.

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