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2021 Cahors HALF BOTTLE
Clos La Coutale
While we are proud that many of our selections represent tremendous values, clients don’t often excitedly tell us they’d be happy to pay more for a specific bottle. This happens regularly, though, with Clos La Coutale’s Cahors. In a similar vein, we’ve been saying for years that we would continue to trumpet this rouge’s value even if it were pricier. With that in mind, now is a great time to stock up because Philippe Bernède’s “black wine”—made of 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot—just might be the quintessential wine for winter. Deep, dark, earthy, and spicy, it suits all kinds of stews and braises. Richard Olney often paired it with cassoulet, the kind of cold-night casserole that warms your bones. Christopher Lee, whom you may know from our past parking lot parties or wine club recipes, suggests a pan-fried duck breast or black truffles over soft eggs on toast with a truffle-scented reduced cream. You also can’t go wrong by simply frying up some merguez. Whatever you decide to pair it with, you’ll be impressed by how fresh, juicy, and buoyant a wine this dark can be.
—Tom Wolf
Wine Type: | red |
Vintage: | 2021 |
Bottle Size: | 375mL |
Blend: | 80% Malbec, 20% Merlot |
Appellation: | Cahors |
Country: | France |
Region: | Southwest |
Producer: | Clos La Coutale |
Winemaker: | Philippe Bernède |
Vineyard: | 60 ha |
Soil: | Gravel, Limestone, Clay |
Aging: | Aged in foudre and 1-2 years old barrels from Bordeaux grand cru for one year before bottling |
Farming: | Traditional |
Alcohol: | 13.5% |
More from this Producer or Region

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About The Producer
Clos La Coutale
Today, Cahors’ jack-of-all-trades and Renaissance man, Philippe Bernède, continues the family tradition with both heart and ingenuity. Philippe’s vines rest upon the gentle slopes that rise up from the Lot River. Over the years, Philippe has tinkered with the house blend to achieve a greater equilibrium. Today, the blend consists of 80% Malbec and 20% Merlot, creating an intense wine that juggles elegant rusticity with everyday drinkability. Coutale has quite a record of age-worthiness as well and Philippe is not afraid to pull out older vintages of his wines alongside much more expensive Bordeaux. They stand up pretty well! Nothing beats bécasse (woodcock) or cassoulet with an old Coutale, but a simple steak fits the bill just fine.
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
The Natural World of Thierry Germain
6-Bottle Sampler France | Loire
Sampler Includes:
2023 Saumur Blanc “L’Insolite” $46.00
A sleek and racy Chenin, with focus and precision. Made from nearly hundred-year-old vines, it’s a great initiation into the world of Thierry’s white wines, and tastes of wet stone, pear, and citrus.
2020 Saumur Blanc “L’Echelier” $79.00
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2023 Saumur Champigny “Cuvée Domaine” $29.00
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2021 Saumur Champigny “Terres Chaudes” $42.00
Made mostly from the celebrated lieu-dit Les Poyeux, the resulting wine is as pure an expression of Cabernet Franc as one could imagine, surpassing expectations of what this variety can do.
2021 Saumur Champigny “La Marginale” $56.00
A cuvée that’s made in worthy vintages only, from a warm, south-facing parcel that reaches levels of maturity unmatched in the region. In its youth, the palate is plush and saline. Over time, it offers delicate notes of peony and sour cherry.
2021 Saumur Champigny “Les Mémoires” $67.00
Here, centenarian vines from the walled-in Clos de La Folie grow on a rare combination of silex and limestone, at the highest point in the appellation. This cooler outpost offers a profound wine that courses with energy and wisdom.
Normally $319.00
SPECIAL SAMPLER PRICE $239.00
(a 25% discount)
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The Natural World of Thierry Germain
In addition to the wine tasting experience, a visit to Thierry’s is a feast for the senses.
2021 Irouléguy Rouge “Cuvée Haitza”
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2021 Vin de France Aligoté “Aligatõ”
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2020 Gard Rouge “Clausus”
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2022 Irouléguy Blanc “Hegoxuri”
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2023 Chinon Rosé
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Kermit once said...

Kermit once said...
Great winemakers, great terroirs, there is never any hurry. And I no longer buy into this idea of “peak” maturity. Great winemakers, great terroirs, their wines offer different pleasures at different ages.
Inspiring Thirst, page 312