Notify me
2020 Cahors
Château La Grave
I could describe Philippe Bernède’s organically grown, 100% Malbec Cahors as a quintessential house red or an eager crowd-pleaser, but I wouldn’t want to oversimplify its appeal. Vintage after vintage, this Cahors delivers glassfuls of voluminous black fruit and bright aromatics with a pleasantly rugged core. The wine is beautifully made and deliciously balanced. It’s no surprise customers return to it with enthusiasm, not only for its provincial charm but also because (lucky for us) it resides in the value section, where it thoroughly overachieves. Sans reproche!, as the French might say—it’s simply beyond reproach.
—Jane Augustine
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2020 |
Bottle Size: | 750mL |
Blend: | Malbec |
Appellation: | Cahors |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southwest |
Producer: | Château La Grave |
Winemaker: | Philippe Bernède |
Vineyard: | Planted in 1990, 1995, 15 ha |
Soil: | Red Clay |
Aging: | Aged in 100hl wood tanks for one year before bottling |
Farming: | Lutte Raisonnée |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region

2021 Irouléguy Rouge “Cuvée Haitza”
France | Southwest
A black wine made from steep inclines planted to Tannat and some Cabernet Sauvignon, it demands patience while its dense, mouth-coating tannins slowly release their clutching grip.

2021 Irouléguy Rouge ”Dolia”
France | Southwest
This inky, tooth-staining Tannat blend is structured and deep, with a bright acidity and an abundance of wild dark fruits and black cardamon.

2021 Cahors HALF BOTTLE
France | Southwest
A red perennially punches way above its weight, both in the immediate pleasure it delivers and the way it evolves in the bottle over time.

2022 Irouléguy Blanc “Hegoxuri”
France | Southwest
Any lover of whites from Chablis or the Loire should try this white made of Gros Manseng, Petit Manseng, and Petit Courbu.

2023 Cahors
France | Southwest
Consistently great year in and year out. It possesses class, country soul, and more-than-meets-the-eye complexity.

About The Producer
Château La Grave
About The Region
Southwest
Tucked away beneath Bordeaux and buffeted by the Pyrenees to the south, this expansive region of France, commonly known as the Southwest, is home to a diverse number of viticulture and gastronomic traditions as well as cultures. Though Cahors might be the most well known (and easiest to pronounce) appellation from the Southwest, the importance and influence of French Basque culture cannot be underestimated. Irouléguy, the primary appellation of the Basque region of France produces full-bodied, hearty red wines, produced from Tannat grape (known for its tannic qualities). Dry whites from Irouléguy are also produced from Petit and Gros Manseng. Northeast of Irouléguy is the sweet wine-producing appellation of Jurançon. These moelleux wines made from Petit and Gros Manseng have a storied history in France, from being the first wine region to have a vineyard classification, which dates back to the 154th century, to being preferred wine of royalty dating back to the 16th century as well as the French poet Colette.
More from Southwest or France
2022 Bourgogne Rouge “Garance”
Domaine Montanet-Thoden France | Burgundy
2021 Irouléguy Rouge “Cuvée Haitza”
Maison Arretxea France | Southwest
NV Brut 1er Cru “Grands Terroirs” HALF BOTTLE
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
2021 Vin de France Blanche
Domaine Michel Brégeon France | Loire
2023 Cahors
Clos La Coutale France | Southwest
2016 Canon-Fronsac
Château Moulin Pey-Labrie France | Bordeaux
2022 Bandol Rouge “Lulu et Lucien”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2022 Bourgogne Rouge
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy
2022 Irouléguy Blanc “Hegoxuri”
Maison Arretxea France | Southwest
2024 Cheverny
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire
2021 Cahors HALF BOTTLE
Clos La Coutale France | Southwest
2021 Irouléguy Rouge ”Dolia”
Maison Arretxea France | Southwest
2022 Bourgogne Rouge “Garance”
Domaine Montanet-Thoden France | Burgundy
2021 Irouléguy Rouge “Cuvée Haitza”
Maison Arretxea France | Southwest
NV Brut 1er Cru “Grands Terroirs” HALF BOTTLE
Veuve Fourny et Fils France | Champagne
2021 Vin de France Blanche
Domaine Michel Brégeon France | Loire
2023 Cahors
Clos La Coutale France | Southwest
2016 Canon-Fronsac
Château Moulin Pey-Labrie France | Bordeaux
2022 Bandol Rouge “Lulu et Lucien”
Domaine Tempier France | Provence
2022 Bourgogne Rouge
Domaine Robert Chevillon France | Burgundy
2022 Irouléguy Blanc “Hegoxuri”
Maison Arretxea France | Southwest
2024 Cheverny
Domaine du Salvard France | Loire
2021 Cahors HALF BOTTLE
Clos La Coutale France | Southwest
2021 Irouléguy Rouge ”Dolia”
Maison Arretxea France | Southwest
Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
Let the brett nerds retire into protective bubbles, and whenever they thirst for wine it can be passed in to them through a sterile filter. Those of us on the outside can continue to enjoy complex, natural, living wines.
Inspiring Thirst, page 236