From: Sud-Ouest, France
Varietal: Malbec
Taste: Pure-fruited and full of life; a perfect bistro wine. Blackberry, plum skin, black cherry, and pomegranate lead for the fruit, followed by subtle notes of cocoa, and leading to a pleasant, savory bitterness on the finish. That finish balances all the fruit which lead on the palate, and adds an extra layer of complexity and texture that calls for another sip and a taste of something braised or stewed.
Pairing: Hearty stews and braises are classic pairings, but this works just as well next to weeknight favorites like burgers and tacos too. Kale and white bean dishes are fabulous for vegetarian pairing ideas. In the spirit of using the classic cassoulet as well as more vegetables as a pairing, we’re sharing Mark Bittman’s recipe for Cassoulet with Lots of Vegetables. Happy cooking!
Created in 1999, Domaine Cosse et Maisonneuve is the result of the combination of two talented oenologists and winemakers: Matthieu Cosse and Catherine Maisonneuve. Matthieu, the winemaker, is a graduate of the Institute of Enology in Bordeaux, and Catherine, the oenologist, holds a BTS viticulture and oenology in Blanquefort.
Fifteen years ago, they took over a 5-hectare estate in Prayssac, a short distance from Cahors, planted with old vines of Malbec, and set out to make wines that are the antithesis of the rustic image of Cahors. Their very first vintage was a cuvée called Les Laquets, but they quickly expanded the range of their wines, creating separate cuvées to reflect the identity of the different terroirs of the estate.
Cosse et Maissoneuve wines are not the norm for Cahors. The wines are full of fruit, but they are uncommonly elegant and round for Cahors, not at all the old-school rustic style that people often associate with the ‘typical’ Malbecs from the area. Their winemaking is precise and accurate, yielding elegant, smooth and aerial wines that truly express the terroir, and have incredible aging potential.
