Viniou Reviews
The Château Meriguet 2020 from the Cahors AOC is a classic representation of the region’s celebrated red wines. Predominantly crafted from Malbec, often locally known as Côt or Auxerrois, this vintage showcases the grape’s characteristic depth and vigour. The 2020 vintage benefited from favourable weather, yielding grapes with excellent maturity while retaining a good balance of acidity. Expect a wine with an intense, dark purple robe, offering aromas of blackcurrant, ripe plum, and subtle notes of violets, mingled with hints of liquorice and spice. The palate is structured and generous, featuring robust tannins which promise good ageing potential. Vinification here usually involves traditional maceration to extract colour and tannins, followed by maturation in a mix of vats and oak barrels, which lends further complexity and polish.
Cahors sits in the South-West of France, on the gentle slopes of the Massif Central’s foothills. This terroir is marked by its gravelly clay and limestone soils, which encourage deep root growth and concentrated fruit. The climate benefits from both Atlantic and Mediterranean influences—sunny and warm summers paired with cool nights, allowing grapes to ripen slowly and fully. Historically, Cahors is one of France’s oldest wine regions, renowned since the Middle Ages for producing ‘the black wine’ of Cahors, prized for its density and longevity.
For food pairings, Cahors reds demand hearty cuisine able to match their structure. Traditional Quercy lamb, slow-cooked duck confit or cassoulet will harmonise beautifully. The wine’s tannic frame also embraces grilled entrecôte or game dishes, while a platter of aged French cheeses, particularly Cantal or Roquefort, makes a delightful finale.
Serve this Cahors at 17-18°C in a broad glass to best reveal its aromatic intensity. Ideally, decant for at least one hour before pouring to soften the tannins and fully express the wine’s nuance. The wine can be enjoyed now for its youthful fruit or cellared a further 5-8 years for greater complexity.
