Jean-Luc Baldès Malbec du Clos 2022, Cahors AOC, South West France

Malbec du Clos is the fresh, approachable face of Clos Triguedina, the historic Cahors estate run by Jean-Luc Baldès, whose family first planted vines here in 1830. It is a Cahors AOC red made from Malbec, the grape that made the appellation famous and that Baldès is widely regarded as a master of. The wine is vinified classically in stainless steel tanks and has been raised in tank rather than oak, so the emphasis is firmly on bright, juicy Malbec fruit.

Expect a deep purple colour with aromas of dark plum, blackberry and ripe red fruits, lifted by a little spice. On the palate it is lively, rich and round, with generous fruit, soft tannins and a smooth, friendly finish: a great introduction to Cahors Malbec.

Serve at 15–17°C with grilled meats, burgers, sausages and barbecue food, charcuterie and cold meats, or simply with canapés and good company. Jean-Luc Baldès Malbec du Clos is made to be enjoyed young and is drinking well now, but will happily keep for 3–5 years.

Clos Triguedina is one of the great family estates of Cahors, set in the Lot valley around Puy-l’Évêque. The Baldès family’s story here began in 1830, when Étienne Baldès planted the first parcels, and the vineyard was completely replanted after phylloxera in the 1880s. Thanks to a favourable microclimate it was only partly hit by the 1956 frosts, so it still has some unusually old vines. Today Jean-Luc Baldès, widely regarded as a master of Malbec, runs around 70 hectares across Puy-l’Évêque, Vire-sur-Lot, Floressas and Touzac, planted mainly to Malbec with smaller amounts of Merlot and Tannat. The soils are regularly ploughed, treatments are kept to a minimum and the estate holds Qualenvi environmental certification.