Description

ABOUT THE PRODUCER:
The ever-innovative Emmanuel Rybinski is one of Cahor’s up-and-coming young stars. The 16-hectare vineyard is located atop an iron-rich plateau on the southern border of the Cahors appellation and produces predominantly Malbec with 10% of the vines dedicated to Merlot. Since its inception in 1987, respect for the land has been a priority for this family estate and they have passionately committed to sustainable farming practices. In 2014, Clos Troteligotte was certified in organic agriculture and 2015 saw the beginnings of biodynamic viticulture. Passionate and dynamic, they are producing outstanding, stylishly packaged Cahors wines from their unique terroir. Pronounced with a French K “ka”, their flagship wine K-Or is a play on words for Cahors. 2021 saw the beginnings of a new agroforestry project, with 4,000 trees planted.

ABOUT THE VINEYARD:
The vineyard is cultivated organically and biodynamically; part of the vineyard is already certified and the younger parcels are in conversion. The 25-year old vines are trained according to the simple Guyot method, with debudding and a green harvest taking place during the course of the year to attain a yield of 50 hectolitres per hectare. The soil is calcareous-clay-siderolithic, which is a red clay soil composed of limestone and rich in iron, a rarity in Cahors. This unique terroir imparts minerality and complexity to this outstanding wine. In 2021, they undertook a huge agroforestry project within the estate, with 4,00 trees being planted among the vines. Initially the vines will grow on poles, but eventually the vines will wrap themselves around the trees and the tillage will be performed on horseback. Practiced for centuries in France, this technique has been slowly abandoned. However, agroforestry has many advantages for the vines: biodiversity, temperature regulation through shade, carbon sink, windbreak, soil structure management and prevention of erosion. This process allows the vine to cope with climatic hazards, scarcity of water resources and soil depletion.

THE WINEMAKING PROCESS:
Micro plots were carefully selected and vinified separately. A cold pre-fermentation maceration took place prior to fermentation using natural yeasts. A manual “pigeage” or punching down of the cap extracted the colour and flavours, followed by maceration under controlled temperatures. The wine was aged in unlined concrete vats, on its fine lees for 18 months. Vinified without the addition of sulphur and only a minimal amount was added at bottling.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
A modern styled Cahors with intense blackcurrant, menthol nuances and wonderful mineral notes from the clay soil. Concentrated black fruits persist on the full bodied palate, with good balance through to a textured finish.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Malbec 85%, Merlot 15%.