Fabien Jouves / Mas del Perie

Fabien is on a mission to protect his homeland's traditional grape varieties, something the local authorities seem to have lost sight of in the region of Cahors, South West France. Malbec is the main focus for the region although there are many forgotten gems on the brink of extinction. Not to worry, Fabien's sorting it!

Fabien runs his family estate Mas de Périé located on ta high plateau overlooking the town of Cahors. The soil here is particularly important, complex clay and 'Quercy' limestone, a brilliant white limestone that is soft and very permeable. There are pockets of gravel producing wines with freshness and clarity. There are also areas of 'Sidérolithique', a complex blend of sand, chalk, clay, and mineral; where this is found the wines develop more complex deeper tones. The vines are managed along biodynamic principles. His wines are lighter than you'd expect from the typical dark, tarry examples often found from the region.

Fabiens wines are different, having two distinct characteristics. First they are as pure as can be, with a direct expression of the land and grape variety, focussed and balanced whilst still portraying the classic deep inky Cahors style. Second, these wines are drinkable. They have freshness, life and restraint. They will age, but to drink them now is best. How many Cahors wines can you say that of!

[more]Fabien is world famous for his Mas del Perie wines, and he also has his own side project producing wines which not only have the ultimate thirst quenching characters, but have a message to give. These wines are produced with limited maceration (time on skins), no added SO2 and are typically Vin de Soif (quaffing wine) made for drinking in the year after harvest. Stick them on your drinking list whilst you can - they tend not to stick around for long![/more]