Chateau de Chambert Cahors Malbec (2008)
Château de Chambert lies 30 km west of the town of Cahors, between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Its pure, fruit-forward yet elegant wines, made from the deep-coloured Malbec that traditionally produced the ‘black wines’ of Cahors, have already garnered considerable attention in France. Wine has been produced at the 12th Century property since 1690.
Since 2007, it has been owned and run by Philippe Lejeune, with the additional support of consultant winemaker Stéphane Derenoncourt. The 100-hectare estate is located high up on the limestone causse (or ‘plateau’) that is regarded as the best part of the Cahors appellation, and is planted with 90% Malbec and 10% Merlot. The limestone gives freshness and balance to the wines, while the red iron-oxide that cuts through the soils adds deep colour and a powerful intensity. At 300 metres above sea level, the night temperatures are fresh, while the warm September winds that blow northwards from Africa both dry and concentrate the grapes before they are harvested by hand.
The winery received Organic certification in 2012, making Château de Chambert the biggest organic estate in Cahors. They also work biodynamically and await certification at the end of 2014.
