Chateau du Cèdre is in its third generation of family ownership, under brothers Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe who have run the estate since 1988. The vineyards were founded by their grandfather, Leon Verhaeghe, in the 1950's. The brothers began to phase out the use of any chemicals in the vineyards in 1992, and the entire operation has been certified organic since 2012. All vineyard work is carried out by hand, and harvest is done in numerous passes to ensure perfect quality and ripeness of the grapes. 

Cahors is known as the spiritual home of Malbec, and while some can be infamously dense and rustic, the wines of Chateau du Cèdre are very polished and remarkably balanced. Malbec and a touch of Merlot are fermented at cool temperatures, and the wine is softened by over 20 months of aging in a combination of neutral and new oak barrels and large 57-hectoliter casks. Rich blackberry and plum are at the forefront, but the deep structure of earthy tannins is laced with hints of clove and espresso. This is one of many reds they produce; at the mid-range of their line-up, it offers excellent quality-to-price ratio for a classic Cahors. 

Viticulture: Organic

Soil: Stony colluvial limestone pebble with iron-rich red sands and clay 

Grape: Roughly 90% Malbec, 10% Merlot

Pairing: Cassoulet, Pot Roast