2008 Clos la Coutale Cahors Magnum

A fantastic follow up to the 2007 vintage which scored 90 points in the Wine Spectator and made the list for the top 100 wines of 2009. Winemaker Notes - For decades Kermit Lynch has worked with Coutale, currently managed by a very cool Philippe Bern de, who don t consider 'prodigious concentration' read more...and 'sledgehammer on the palate' positive reviews. Philippe has reduced the proportion of Tannat in the blend over the years, preferring a wine with more balance and immediate pleasure, so the blend is now predominantly Malbec (with a touch of, gasp, Merlot - is that still a cuss word?). Don t let the 'feminine for Cahors' bit trip you, though. This is a deeply hued wine with a big, round palate and plenty of meaty tannin. It just happens to be even more versatile at table than usual.

Astonishing elegance, red fruit with spicy overtones. A well-constructed wine. Clos La Coutale can be drunk young thanks to its good fruit, but has great aging potential, between 10-20 years.   This is a great representation of the rustic wines from Southwest France.   Serve this during the summer with your friends while grilling up some meats or wait until the cold of winter with a roasted prime rib...either way, you'll love this wine.