# Cuvée Particulière (2020)

- **Producer:** Château Lamartine
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Malbec, Tannat
- **Region:** South West France, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €18
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** blackberry, blackcurrant, plum, black pepper, violet, vanilla, cedar, toast, smoke, leather, tobacco, forest floor

## About this wine

Château Lamartine is a historic estate located in the Cahors appellation of Southwest France, nestled along the clay-limestone terraces of the Lot Valley. The estate has been lovingly tended by the Gayraud family for generations. In 2016, Alain Gayraud handed the reins to his children, Lise and Benjamin, who represent the fifth generation of winemakers. The 'Cuvée Particulière' was first created by Alain in 1988 and has since established itself as a benchmark bottling for both the estate and the wider Cahors region, celebrated for its depth, structure, and expression of the local terroir.

## Interesting facts

- First crafted in 1988 by Alain Gayraud, this cuvée became an iconic benchmark for the Cahors appellation.
- The estate is currently managed by the fifth generation of the Gayraud family, siblings Lise and Benjamin.
- The vines are planted on south-facing clay-limestone terraces, maximizing sun exposure in the Lot Valley.

## Food pairing

The robust structure, firm tannins, and dark fruit profile of this Cahors Malbec require rich, savory dishes with ample protein and fat to soften the tannins on the palate. Earthy components like mushrooms, game, and rustic herbs beautifully complement the wine's terroir-driven character.

## Wine making process

This cuvée is crafted from a blend of Malbec and Tannat grown on south-facing clay-limestone terraces. The grapes are fully destemmed before undergoing fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks. A long maceration period of up to 30 days allows for optimal extraction of color, flavor, and structured tannins. The wine is then aged for 12 to 14 months in French oak barrels, a portion of which are new, to integrate the tannins and add complexity before bottling.