Chateau Les Croisille Croizillon France Malbec 2014

This is a tale of two Malbecs.

When grown in Argentina, where about 70% of the world’s plantings can be found today, Malbec grapes are transformed into fruit-forward, plummy wines with a velvety texture. When grown in their historic homeland of Cahors in southwest France, those grapes make wines that are more savory and tart, with firm tannins and a blackberry-like flavor.

In Cahors, Malbec typically is blended with Merlot and Tannat to produce bottlings referred to as the “black wine of Cahors.” But this is a completely varietal rendition of Malbec, allowing the characteristics of the grape to shine through.

Chateau les Croisille is a small, family domain that grows Malbec on the calcareous clay soil terraces of Cahors. Artisan winemaking and a focus on organic principles — with virtually all of the vineyard work done by hand — ensure that the grapes are healthy and the wines are delicious.

A midseason ripener, it can bring very deep color, ample tannin, and a particular plum-like flavor component to add complexity to claret blends.