La Roche Mère 2014

La Roche Mère is a fully complex, modern and bold wine playing on the perfect balance between power and elegance. It personifies the reinterpretation of Cahors Malbec by Paul and Bertrand Gabriel to deliver a full expression of the terroir.

Terroirs
Fruit selected from the Plateau and the 3rd Terrace

Vineyard
• Very high density planting 14,820 vines/acres (6000 vines/ha)
• 1.9 tons per acres (37hl/ha)

Winemaking
• Hand-harvested between the October 1st -15th  
• Fermentation in very small stainless steel tanks- malolactic fermentation in barrel
• 24 months in 100% new Darnajou, Baron and Taransaud French oak barrels (225 l)

“La Roche Mère means “mother or parent rock” refers to a very specific soil in Cahors, the Kimmeridgian limestone which is found exclusively on the plateau."

Growing Season
Spring provided ideal conditions for flowering. Weather-wise, summer was quite autumnal; however, in September the Crocus vineyard sites experienced a sunny, dry Indian summer (with a record number of sunny days), with a marked thermal amplitude, ideal for optimal maturity and vine health.

Tasting Notes
Dark and profound with a deep amethyst rim. An intense wine with a large and complex aromatic palette of Gariguette strawberry and raspberry, setting the stage for flavors of aged balsamic, pure cacao and clove. The complexity unfolds with herbal notes of peppermint and cedar but also with floral elements of lilac and violet. This powerful and elegant wine is structured with balanced acidity, minerality, finesse and firm tannins displaying profound density. The long, pure, graceful finish is accented by a touch of black licorice, fresh tobacco, and ripe black plum.