Ripe, purple fruit and red cherry emanate from the glass, complemented by lingering hints of licorice, cinnamon and minerals. This is a soft, yet powerful Malbec that will stand up to a multitude of dishes, yet is quite enjoyable on its own.

Château la Coustarelle is owned by Michel and Nadine Cassot and located in the village of Prayssac, next to the renowned Clos de Gamot. The region called Cahors enjoys the influence of both the Mediterranean sea (with the Autan Wind) and a continental climate, bringing excellent complexity to the wines. Soil is composed of clay, gravel and limestone. The château was named after the first parcel of vines planted at the lieu-dit "Coustarelle" meaning little slope "petit côteau" in old French. In 1980, Michel Cassot took over the running of the estate from his father Pierre with the help of his wife Nadine, making him the 4th generation on the estate. In 2009, Michel’s daughter, Caroline Cassot (5th generation) took over winemaking and running of the estate. Within a few years she has made her mark by maintaining the high quality and typicity of the wines with a feminine touch.

Their 30-year-old vines are planted on slopes that give yields of between 45-50 hl/ha; this is considered low. This Grand Cuvée Prestige sees a 20-day fermentation period in stainless steel, after which aging takes place in oak barrels, a fifth of which is new each year. The 3,000 case production is bottled unfiltered.

Try this red with lamb, beef,  duck confit or cassoulet.  This might be the ideal wine for short ribs.  Hearty bean dishes also work well, as do rich, braised vegetables and burgers.

Chicken/Turkey, Duck, Grilled preparations, Hearty stew, Lamb, Red Meat, Roasted Root Vegetables, Wild Game