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:
Certified organic and biodynamic, the vineyard is cultivated organically, respecting the environment and enabling the maximum expression of terroir. The 35-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 40 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 these outstanding wines. 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:
The micro-plots were vinified separately, without the addition of sulphur during vinification. A cold pre-fermentation maceration took place prior to fermentation using indigenous yeasts. A manual “pigeage” or punching down of the cap extracted the colour and flavours, followed by a long maceration. The wine aged in unlined concrete vats on its fine lees. Minimal sulphur was used at bottling.

OUR TASTING NOTES:
A concentrated and dense wine with concentrated black berried fruit, kirsch and floral notes which are underpinned by mineral complexity. Smooth and spicy on the palate, with great structure and a lovely purity of fruit.

GRAPE VARIETY:
Malbec 100%.