In 2006, Fabien Jouves took over the running of this family vineyard, located on the hillsides of Trespoux, the highest point of the appellation. He is one of Cahors' many newcomers, whose ambition is to exalt the noble variety Malbec with biodynamic practices (Biodyvin/Demeter certified), but also to revive interest in heritage local varieties that are little known: Cahours, Négral, Baral, Valdiguié, Pissaïre, Magdeleine Noire, Mérille, Grand Noir de la Calmette, Gibert, Noual, Malpé... An incredibly exciting journey!
He follows the Burgundy model, both in terms of the parcel selections, long fermentations on lees, and even the shape of the bottles! Part of a new generation of winemakers in Cahors, Fabien Jouves proudly wear the colours of his appellation and is constantly innovating his methods. The vineyard covers 23 hectares and is farmed biodynamically (Demeter certified), as part of a polyculture estate (orchards, hedgerows, truffle oaks, bees, lavender and cereals), and the winemaker has even co-founded a Gascon black pig farm (organic and free-range): a truly holistic approach. Beyond reintroducing native grape varieties, great care is taken with the plants, not least when conducting massal selection.
In the winery, gravity is used in the vinification process and there is very little intervention without sulphur. Easy-drinking wines are made with short maturation in neutral vessels (stainless steel or concrete), carbonic maceration (for red wines) and sometimes skin contact (for white wines), with early bottling to preserve all their fruity character. The estate’s range of terroir-driven wines (single-vineyard wines, wines for laying down and food-friendly wines) is given longer maturation, often in large-format barrels.
His reds have a great deal of substance and are perfectly balanced, and he also produces many Vin de France cuvées. Chenin-based whites, orange wines, cuvées of pure Tannat, amphora cuvées and much more. A truly accomplished, iconoclastic range. As you've probably gathered, this is one of our favourite estates, and we take the greatest pleasure in visiting it as often as we can!