Extrait du Terre Malbec 2024 (France)

Description

Chocolate, Plum, Spice

“Sweetly fruited and fragrant, the bouquet shows Black Doris plum, rich floral, star anise, and roasted nut aromas. The palate delivers succulent fruit flavours with a beautifully rounded mouthfeel, backed by silky tannins, finishing lingering and flavoursome. At its best: now to 2029” Sam Kim, Wine Orbit

“Extrait de Terre” wines are made by carefully selecting exceptional vineyard sites in southern France and working with distinctive regional grape varieties by the highly acclaimed LGI wines, who were awarded Best French Still Wine Producer at the Berliner Wein Trophy for three years in a row. Originally the brainchild of Alain Grignon and UK Master of Wine Mark Lynton, who had a vision of making affordable, modern French wines designed specifically for the international market. Now under the supervision of oenologist Xavier Roger with wines tailor-made to appeal to Kiwi tastes through local importer Steve Bennett, Master of Wine.

Malbec originated in SW France where it was renowned since the middle ages. It was served at Eleanor of Aquitaine's wedding in 1152 and known as the famous ‘black wine of Cahors’ and has experienced a resurgence in the Pays d'Oc (Languedoc-Roussillon) region of France, where varietal labelling has transformed it from a largely forgotten traditional grape into an increasingly popular everyday wine producing approachable, user-friendly, fruity, inky coloured reds at an extremely reasonable price when compared to international counterparts. 

Selected from highly adapted terroirs, located on high slopes, are influenced by the Pyrenean mountains and Atlantic Ocean where the growing season is very long, leading to an exceptional aromatic persistence of fruit. The grapes are harvested upon reaching the perfect balance of acidity and sugar. After destemming, maceration lasts about 15 days at a temperature of 26 to 28° C, in small stainless-steel tanks. Floating skins are regularly pushed down into the fermenting wine. At the end of the process, the wine is kept in stainless-steel tank for 5 months with a percentage of the wine aged using French oak, to impart more complex aromas and silky tannins. The bright crimson-purple hue signals what is to come with ripe, dark fruit aromas of Black Dorris plum and blackberry, with a hint of cocoa. Bursting with ripe fruit flavours backed by moderate velvety tannins and a vibrant freshness to match with food.

Food Pairing: Grilled meat, game, pizza, ragout, mushrooms and eggplant.