The Cahors Le Combal from Cosse Maisonneuve is the antithesis of the tannic, full-bodied Cahors we’re used to. Founded in 1999 by Matthieu Cosse and Catherine Maisonneuve, both trained oenologists, the Cosse Maisonneuve wine estate focused from the very beginning on producing refined, terroir-driven wines—the exact opposite of Cahors’ rustic image. Le Combal is made from 3 hectares of Malbec vines, about thirty years old, planted on the gravelly and siliceous clay terraces of the Lot. Harvesting very early—sometimes as early as July if necessary—helps preserve healthy, balanced ripeness.
Philippe Mischler, sommelier at Mundovin: Cosse Maisonneuve ’s Cahors Le Combal is the kind of Malbec we’ve always dreamed of for Cahors. Compact and fresh, with a focus on fruit, it seeks neither showiness nor easy power. Cosse Maisonneuve’s wines captivate with their personality, fruitiness, and finesse, and they are undoubtedly among the appellation’s finest.
The initial nose offers deep black fruit notes of blueberry, spices, camphor, and a hint of sweet spices. An intense floral quality rounds out the profile—a precise, direct bouquet that doesn’t try to overdo it.
The palate is very juicy, with fine tannins that give way to a lovely, lingering finish of dark berries. The finish is crisp, lively, and persistent.