The Ilberts have been growing vines in Cahors since 1901, bottling their own wines since 2005, and current vignerons Julien and Sophie today farm 22 hectares on the highest reaches of la causse, an old Occitan word for the region’s limestone plateau. They only work with Malbec and avoids oak influence apart from a minimal extent on some wines. Certified organic since 2013, Julien and Sophie ’s philosophy is to make wines for drinking, vins de soif with plentiful joie de vivre.

The Malbec grapes are from different plots in the village of Cournou, 35-year-old vines planted on causse limestone and clay. Traditional short fermentation with the aim of maximum fruit extraction, aged on lees in cement tanks. No oak is used and the wines are not inoculated with yeasts - ambient yeasts used. No malolactic fermentation is used.

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.

Country: France 
Region: Cahors 
Grape: Malbec 100% 
Volume: 75cl 
ABV: 12.5% 
Vintage: 2017 
Suitable for Vegans: Yes 
Suitable for Vegetarians: Yes