# L'Authentique Château Pineraie (2022)

- **Producer:** Château Pineraie
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Malbec
- **Region:** South West France, France
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €19
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Later
- **Serving temperature:** 17–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, blackcurrant, plum, violet, liquorice, toast, charred wood, coffee, smoke

## About this wine

Château Pineraie is a historical estate in Cahors managed by sixth-generation winemakers Anne and Emmanuelle Burc. The Burc family's grape-growing roots in the Lot Valley date back over five centuries. Cuvée L'Authentique represents the pinnacle of the estate's production, crafted from a single five-hectare parcel known as Les Bousquets Hauts planted on high gravel terraces. This flagship wine pays homage to the legendary, deeply concentrated historic black wines of Cahors.

## Interesting facts

- The Burc family has been growing vines in Cahors since at least 1456, confirmed by an ancient Latin parchment preserved by the family.
- Sourced exclusively from 60-year-old vines in a single 5-hectare vineyard plot named Les Bousquets Hauts.
- Aged for 18 months with up to 70% new oak, giving this 100% Malbec a cellar potential of well over a decade.

## Food pairing

The high tannin structure, dense dark fruit, and balanced acidity of this flagship Cahors Malbec complement rich, fatty meats and earthy, savory dishes. Protein softens the tannins, while earthy components like mushrooms and truffles harmonize with the oak-aged depth.

## Wine making process

Organically farmed 60-year-old Malbec vines are yield-restricted to thirty hectoliters per hectare and harvested at full maturity. Fermentation occurs in thermoregulated vats at 30°C with an extended maceration period of 25 to 30 days to gently extract rich, velvety tannins. The wine is then aged for 18 months in oak barrels, using 60% to 70% new French oak, imparting structure and age-worthy complexity.