From: Cahors, France
Blend: 90% Malbec, 10% Tannat
Taste: Blackberry, black raspberry, and plum skin meet a dusting of peppercorn over a structured, dense, dark-chocolate tinged core. Lovely musk and woodsy aromas mix with umami found in notes of mushroom, oak moss and cedar.
Pairing: Charcuterie dishes, savory pies, pâtés, lasagna, red meats as well as a multitude of everyday dishes like chili, pot roast, cassoulet, braises, meatballs, and other comfort fare.
Smothered Pork Chops
By Sam Sifton
About. The Couture family has been making wines here for 500 years. According to departmental records, the first traces of winegrowing date back to 1470 when the Couture winegrowers served the Lord of Albas. Winemaker Jerome Couture creates profound expressions of one of France’s famous, traditional ”black wines.” He is an enthusiastic proponent of the newest micro-oxygenation technology to bring out the best in the stern Malbec grape (softens tannins, thus allowing the resulting wine to become a pleasure to drink without cellaring).
Planted on the mid-slopes and the slopes of the Causse on the terraces of the Lot Valley, the vines benefit from exceptional sunshine. Chateau Eugénie’s oldest vines grow on parcels on the hillsides. Younger vines come from the terraces adjacent to the Lot River valley on its left bank. Their vines are grown in an environmentally responsible manner. To control soil erosion, most of their parcels are worked according to the principles of controlled natural sodding and reasoned culture. Ancient oak foudres impart some oak flavors without overpowering the fruit.
