Chateau Combel-la-Serre, Le Pur Fruit du Causee, Malbec, Cahors, France

We sometimes forget that Malbec originates from Cahors and the Ilbert family has been farming vines in Cahors since 1901 and today Julien continues the tradition with 26 hectares of Malbec vines planted on la causse, an old Occitan word for the limestone ridge found in ancient Cahors. Traditional short fermentation with the aim of maximum fruit extraction, aged on lees in cement tanks. No oak. Bright, intense purple colour, recognisably Malbec with bramble fruit and grip, yet at just 12.5% alcohol it’s a genuine vin de soif – even for serving slightly chilled in warmer summer months. Radically brilliant.