
The region of Cahors is a 500-kilometer pathway that leads through Quercy creating alluvial soils and fertile valleys thanks to the broken limestone hills in the region. Described as the Sud-Quercy, or Southwest. There are actually ten wine regions that stretch from the Spanish border to central France from the Pyrenees, to the Mediterranean, and the Atlantic. The region consists of 45 villages and 4250 acres and is a compact area that is 40 kilometers wide and 60 kilometers long. The majority of the vineyards, 70% of them to be exact, are located on a narrow strip of land on each side of the Lot River between Cahors and Puy L'Eveque. The wines in this area are very fruity, full-bodied, bold, and powerful. The rest of the vineyards are on the limestone causse plateau above Cahors, tend to less robust, but have the same distinctive finesse and elegance. Most of the hillsides are limestone soils. Because of the combination of soils, which are very conducive to grape growing, and the climate, which is mild with lots of sunshine, vineyards in Cahors produce wines with all of the characteristics of a great vineyard. The region produces inexpensive table wine to some of the most award winning reds and whites in the world.
Bouysses Cahors is made from 100 percent 100% Malbec.
A beautiful dark brilliant ruby purple color. The nose is complex of black cherry, blackberry with a hint of violet, followed by a buttery and vanilla note. The palate is rich, powerful, with smooth and melted tannins. This wine is fleshy and velvety.
Serve with game meat, red meat, duck confit, and goat cheese.
Franz Prager, co-founder of the Vinea Wachau, had already earned a reputation for his wines when Toni Bodenstein married into the family. Bodenstein’s passion for biodiversity and old terraces, coupled with brilliant winemaking, places Prager in the highest echelon of Austrian producers.
Smaragd is a designation of ripeness for dry wines used exclusively by members of the Vinea Wachau. The wines must have minimum alcohol of 12.5%. The grapes are hand-harvested, typically in October and November, and are sent directly to press where they spontaneously ferment in stainless-steel tanks.
Klaus sits adjacent to Achleiten and is one of the Wachau’s most famous vineyards for Riesling. The vineyard is incredibly steep with a gradient of 77% at its steepest point. The southeast-facing terraced vineyard of dark migmatite-amphibolite and paragneiss produces a tightly wound and powerful wine. The parcel belonging to Toni Bodenstein was planted in 1952.
Tasting Notes:
Austrian Riesling is often defined by elevated levels of dry extract thanks to a lengthy ripening period and freshness due to dramatic temperature swings between day and night. “Klaus is not a charming Riesling,” says Toni Bodenstein with a wink. Klaus is Prager’s most assertive and robust Riesling.
Food Pairing
Riesling’s high acidity makes it one of the most versatile wines at the table. Riesling can be used to cut the fattiness of foods such as pork or sausages and can tame some saltiness. Conversely, it can highlight foods such as fish or vegetables in the same way a squeeze of lemon or a vinaigrette might.
Review:
Superbly cool, restrained and refined, this austere, beautiful dry riesling is a slow-burn masterpiece that's only just beginning to reveal its complex white-peach, white-tea, wild-herb and dark-berry character. Super-long and mineral finish. Drink or hold.
-James Suckling 97 Points
Dark plum in color with abundant aromas of dark chocolate, black cherry, and sun-ripened blackberry with a hint of cedar. Layered flavors of blackberry and raspberry pie filling, accompanied by notes of cinnamon, chocolate, and nutmeg play on the palate. Smooth and focused with refined tannins and a medium finish.