Happy Friday to you all. Today we jaunt to the Cahors region in France, located roughly between Bordeaux and Toulouse. A winery with a rich tradition, Clos Triguedina was formed in 1830 and spans seven generations of the Baldès family. It is a domain with a rich history: one where the Pilgrims of St Jacques de Compostela would often stop to revive themselves (“Me triga de dina” means “I am longing to dine” in Occitan). Located in the the center of the Cahors region, Jean-Luc Baldes has gained an international reputation for producing top Malbec wines at Clos Triguedina. The estate comprises 65 hecatares covering 2nd, 3rd and 4th terraces. Vines are set in clay and limestone, as well as The winery produces a range of wines including their ‘New Black Wine,’ as well as their beautifully decadent ‘Probus’, the three new Premier Crus, all offering considerable intrigue. Winemaker Jean-Luc Baldes has been producing wine on his family property for thirty years. He and his wife, Sabine,
Baldes has crafted a brilliant new lineup of wines. I was quite impressed with their 2012 Clos Triguedina ‘The New Black Wine’ Cahors (WWB, 90) which is quite forward with deep dark fruit flavors and shows marvelously right now. The top wine I sampled was their brilliant 2008 Clos Triguedina ‘Probus’ Cahors (WWB, 93) which is rich and layered, showing a wonderful combination of dark and blue fruit flavors. Learn more about this famed Cahors estate at https://www.jlbaldes.com/en/histoire-dune-famille Here are the beautiful new wines by Clos Triguedina.
2013 Clos Triguedina ‘Clos Triguedina’ Cahors- Needing roughly a one hour decant to fully express itself, this starts off with a bouquet of anise, fennel, and black currant with coffee ground accents. The palate shows a good degree of freshness and energy with dark fruits connecting with lighter blueberry compote and coffee ground flavors. This is an excellent effort that will cellar well for the next decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 91
2012 Clos Triguedina The New Black Wine’ Cahors- Showing off its dark hue, the wine opens with dark and blue fruits with light mocha and earthy tones that build on the nose. The palate has a smooth texture and ripe mouthfeel. Blackberry cobbler, dark chocolate shavings and shades of wild mushroom flavors all marvelously combine on the palate. Rich and layered, enjoy this excellent value wine in the short-term. Drink 2019-2025- 90
2008 Clos Triguedina ‘Probus’ Cahors- The ‘Probus’ Cahors is a sensational new wine that marvelously expresses the best of this grape and region. On the nose this shows a good combination of blue and dark fruits with lighter Arabica coffee bean notes that all impress. The mouthfeel is voluptuous and marvelously coats the mid-palate. Rich dark cherry, mocha, anise and creme de cassis flavors with blueberry compote all collide on the palate and connect with a sterling minerality. While delicious now, this will continue to drink well for the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2035- 93
2013 Clos Triguedina ;Au Coin du Bois’ Cahors- Nice earthy tones fill the nose with black fruits and chocolate accents coming into play aromatically. The palate shows good balance with dark fruits that mingle with minerals and damp earth flavors. Showing good richness and minerality, this will continue to cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2019-2029- 91
2013 Clos Triguedina ‘Les Galets’ Cahors- The ‘Les Galets’ shows marvelous earthy tones on the nose with dark fruits and a lighter stony character that all build in the glass. The palate is linear, delivering good freshness and medium-bodied dark fruit flavors. Refined and delicious now, this will continue to cellar well for the next decade or more. Drink 2019-2032- 92
2013 Clos Triguedina ‘Petites Calles’ Cahors- The ‘Petites Calles’ shows a host of dark fruit aromas with cedar and peat moss aromas that combine with lighter citrus rind tones on the nose. The palate shows good freshness with moderate tannins. Dark fruits mingle with a good sense of minerality on the palate. The balance and poise here is seriously good in this elegant Cahors. Drink 2019-2029- 92