THE GOOD WINE SHOP

35-year-old vines planted on coarse Limestone and Clay. A traditional short fermentation to obtain maximum fruit extraction. No Oak is used and the wines are fermented and aged on their lees at cooler temperatures to prevent any Malo from occurring.

The Ilberts have been farming vines in Cahors since 1901 but selling grapes to the local co-op. However, between 1998 and 2005, current vigneron Julien phased out the selling of his grapes and created Combel-la-Serre. He today farms 26 hectares at 320-350 metres above sea level on the highest reaches of la causse, an old Occitan term for the region’s famed limestone plateau. He shuns the addition of Bordeaux grapes to his Malbec (otherwise known here as Auxerrois) and avoids using oak on many of his wines, only sparingly on those he does, so letting the pure fruit of these special grapes ring true. All in all, rugby-loving Julien makes Malbecs that are veritable vins de soif with no shortage of joie de vivre.