WTN: Three times a charm for Rhône and Cahors

2005 Domaine Philippe Plantevin Côtes du Rhône Blanc [blend of 40 percent Viognier, 30 percent Grenache, 30 percent Marsanne] (Côtes du Rhône, southern Rhône, France) synthetic closure, 14% - imported to USA by Vinifrance Imports, Olivier Daubresse Selections – appears silvery gold reflective, smell strong vegetal and green bell pepper at first, lot of depth, only slightest hint of fruit, mouthfeel bit viscous, but good flow, taste nice warm subtle spicey, lots of fresh veggies, at first this wine was incredibly crunchy, with bits of heat, very rounded yet crunchy, by day two it had rounded out quite a bit more with fuller flavors and incredibly easy to drink, opens up toward more tropical mango and pineapple, by day three in was a wonderful less-than-ripe mango with great flavors, very expressive, wonderful to drink. Nice stuff for $15

2004 Cèdre Cahors Héritage [Malbec] (Cahors AOC, southwestern France) cork closure, 13% - imported to USA by Elite Wines - finally!, had to return two previous undrinkable bottles, some bizarre nasty battery acid thing going on, I thought perhaps volatile acidity out of control, my retailer thought perhaps corked on one bottle and we couldn’t come to any conclusion on what was wrong with the second, but this bottle was delicious, appears dark maroon black, see through purple, quite viscous, smell intense herbs and some barnyard, hay and suggestion of manure, very bold with some fruit, bold impressive nose, taste fiery spice at first, great recessed fruit, acidic yet roses and velvet, upon opening this third bottle it was wondrous but then quickly changed toward a harsh acid much more reminiscent of the way the first two bottles were from the get-go, while I was eating that was how it was and I really was not enjoying it, about an hour later, however it had morphed into something even more wonderful, dark pondrous and brooding fruit, what does that mean? it was like my tongue was surrounded by incredible depth of flavors and intensity, but upon touching my tongue those flavors were a bit tart and quite fleeting, which made this wine a very tantalizing and somewhat sensous experience, glad I finally got a good bottle as the brooding stage was great from hour two through day three, for $13, I can’t really ask for much more

Re: Le Cèdre Héritage

A nice description of Cahors, Keith.

And it also, on the third try, demonstrates the excellence of the Château du Cèdre estate. Héritage is the bottom (fourth) in their range of Cahors and a "négoce" wine, I think. When I tasted them at Cahors there was a noticeable quality step up at each level in the hierarchy. The others in ascending order are Prestige (c. € 14), le Cèdre (c. € 30) and GC (c. € 70).

Héritage is the bottom (fourth) in their range of Cahors and a "négoce" wine, I think.

Thanks for that information, Tim. This was my first wine from this producer and the quality I enjoyed along with your enthusiasm for the estate make me more than willing to 'try up the line' when I get the chance.

Your reports from your visit to Cahors were very informative--thanks for that!