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Chateau du Cédre
Chateau du Cédre, widely regarded as one of Cahors' leading estates, is the domaine of brothers Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe. Pascal, a mathematician at heart who came to winemaking later in life, is the driving force here. Although the son of a winemaker - his father Charles had founded the family domaine in 1956 - he took no interest in the daily grind of running vineyards and making wine. But his experiences in Burgundy, helping out friend Jean-Marie Guffens, swayed his opinion. Further experience came at Saintsbury in California, before he and brother Jean-Marc took over the running of Chateau du Cédre from their father.
The mantra here is quality; improving flavour and extract, pushing the boundaries of Cahors in order to match the Malbecs of the New World. There are four cuvées produced on this 25 ha estate. The straight Chateau du Cédre is 80% Malbec tempered with 20% Merlot, whereas the Prestige is 90% Malbec and 10% Tannat. At the top of the tree - until recently at least - is Cédre, 100% Malbec, aged in new oak. But since 2000 there has been a new prestige cuvée GC, again 100% Malbec, fermented and aged in oak, with prolonged lees contact. Verhaeghe has put his Burgundian and Californian experience to good use at Chateau du Cédre, and is now doing the same elsewhere; in 2000 he took on a second domaine, Domaine Marcevol, in Roussillon. From my tasting of the red and white cuvees made here, we can expect more high quality bottles from this new venture. (27/6/05)
Contact details:
Address: 46700 Vire-sur-Lot
Telephone: +33 (0) 5 65 36 53 87
Fax: +33 (0) 5 65 24 64 36
Chateau du Cédre - Tasting Notes
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Chateau du Cédre 'Le Prestige' Cahors 2002: Another deep, purple-black
wine. Lovely nose, redolent of black summer fruits, with a lining of spicy oak
too. Great texture, with a smooth puree of fruits, coated with a sheen of
slightly raw, youthful oak, laid over and around and core of ripe, peppery
tannins. Seductive, velvety mouthfeel, acidity moderately low, and approachable
now; although I suspect 5-8 years in the cellar should be fine. Very good
potential here. 17+/20 (June 2005)
Chateau du Cédre 'Le Prestige' Cahors 2001: A lovely, vibrant, deep,
cherry red hue. Summer berries on the nose, with black cherry dominating, with
dark coffee grounds and some cloves. The palate gives great pleasure; it shows
plenty of frivolously ripe summer fruits, but with a more serious structure.
Fairly firm but very ripe tannins, moderate acidity, and a velvety texture.
Plenty of extract. Lip-smacking, tannin-infused finish. This is very good, with
super potential. 17+/20 (June 2005)
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