Picpus Malbec Syrah Comte Tolosan 2023

Picpus Malbec Syrah, Les Vignobles St Didier Parnac, IGP Comte Tolosan, Southwest France, 2023

Grapes: A blend of 80% Malbec and 20% Syrah, unoaked

Producer Tasting Note:

A concentrated and richly-fruited wine showing expressive notes of wild berries layered with spicy, menthol and liquorice nuances, through to a rich finish.

Estate: In 1992, Hervé Joyaux Fabre, a former wine merchant in Bordeaux, tasted a Malbec on the outskirts of Mendoza and was utterly seduced by it. As a visionary, he purchased the Mendoza estate with his childhood friend and they went on to successfully create award-wining wines as FABRE-MONTMAYOU. In 2015, Hervé and his wife Diane, visited Cahors in France, the original home of Malbec. They were immediately impressed by the diversity of its terroirs, and how much Malbec as a variety had developed and evolved. It did not take Hervé and Diane long to decide that they had to invest in Cahors and in 2017, along with their friends and associates, they became the new owners of the Vignobles Saint Didier Parnac, situated on the impressive limestone plateau of Les Causses. Hervé’s philosophy is very much one of minimal intervention, he believes that wine should be an expression of the fruit and the vineyard; the sustainably cultivated estate is certified HVE. He has won countless awards, including IWC Red Winemaker of the Year in 2018. 

Vineyard: The vineyard overlooks the meandering River Lot, the valley below and the slopes of the Causse. The terroir is distinguished by the limestone plateau, which is covered with clay soils, rich in iron and manganese which nourish the vines and the limestone base imparts elegance to the wines. The vineyard benefits from Mediterranean and Continental climate influences, with long, warm and sunny growing seasons and moderate rainfall which provides the ideal environment for the thick-skinned Malbec and Syrah varieties to reach good maturity levels. The dry climate also means that vines experience slight hydric stress, forcing them to dig deep, strong root systems in search of water, simultaneously increasing the concentration of sugars and phenolic compounds in the grapes. The relief of the Causse protects the vineyard from cold air masses coming from the north. 

Food Match: Grilled, smoked, or roasted meats, such as steak, lamb chops, or BBQ ribs. It also complements hearty dishes like cassoulet, mushroom & lentil dishes, and aged cheeses