Ponzac Patiemment Cahors 2014

Ponzac Patiemment Cahors is made from 100% Malbec

Grown on soils of red (irony) clay and limestone, this ambitious Cahors is one of the best example of what can be achieved when working with high precision on the "Causse". It combines the ripeness and the fat of Malbec of the clay based soils and the purity in fruit of the limestone.  

Dark color, almost black as it should be for a ripe and concentrated wine from Malbec. The nose shows notes of fresh black fruit (blackberries) and also some more candied fruit and orange peal. It has also a spicy dimension to it (cinnamon). The texture is dense and velvety but the wine remains crisp and tensed all the way to the finish. Great food wine it will match any grilled meat dishes.

Review:

"A step up both in quality and in price, the 2015 Cahors Patiemment is all Malbec, from clay and limestone soils, that was brought up mostly in tank, with 15% in oak. More balanced than the Maintenant release, with notes of blueberries, chocolate, crushed rocks, and hints of graphite, it’s medium to full-bodied, rounded, layered, and textured on the palate. It's a beautiful wine and I'd pay the uptick in price."
- Jeb Dunnuck (March 27th 2019), 91 pts

Ponzac Maintenant Cahors is made from 100% Malbec

Unoaked, this wine is typical of Cahors from the Plateau the "Causse" as they call it here. The climate here is much more severe and continental than in the valley of the Lot where most of the Cahors are grown. The grapes for this wine are grown on soils rich in limestone. This explains the purity of the aromas and the fruit.
Dark color with violet reflection. The nose exhibits fresh notes of violet and blackberries that are typical characteristics of wines made from Malbec in the Cahors district. On the palate, the fruit is very obvious (again blackberries and dark cherries). The wine is very tensed and long. Despite the hot vintage, it is extremely fresh and lively. A great wine to sip away with some cold meat or just a nice pasta dish with tomatoes.

Ponzac Maintenant Cahors is made from 100% Malbec

Unoaked, this wine is typical of Cahors from the Plateau the "Causse" as they call it here. The climate here is much more severe and continental than in the valley of the Lot where most of the Cahors are grown. The grapes for this wine are grown on soils rich in limestone. This explains the purity of the aromas and the fruit.

Dark color with violet reflection. The nose exhibits fresh notes of violet and blackberries that are typical characteristics of wines made from Malbec in the Cahors district. On the palate, the fruit is very obvious (again blackberries and dark cherries). The wine is very tensed and long. Despite the hot vintage, it is extremely fresh and lively. A great wine to sip away with some cold meat or just a nice pasta dish with tomatoes.

Ponzac Maintenant ou Jamais Cahors is made from 100 percent Malbec.

A deep red color, lots of red fruit aromas on the nose with hints of plum. On the palate, it is smooth with blackcurrant flavors, rounded tannins and just a touch of acidity.

Excelent as an aperitif or paired with cheese, cooked and grilled meat.

Blending Detail:

• 49 % Grenache
• 20% Syrah
• 16% Cinsault
• 9% Mourvêdre
• 6% Counoise

Grenache speaks loudly in the Bésoleil with notes of pomegranate, red raspberry, and strawberry leaf. The Counoise and Cinsualt bring bing cherry fruit and blueberry notes to the table, complicated by pepper and garrique. Mourvedre donates a wild meatiness to the blend, and a purple hue. Syrah rounds things out, adding texture, and flesh to the palate.

"Always an enjoyable, outstanding effort, the 2014 Grenache Besoleil offers classic notes of cherries, herbes de Provence, red plums and pepper in a fine, elegant, medium to full-bodied style. Drink it over the coming 7-8 years. - Jeb Dunnuck"
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (Issue #225, June 2016), 91 pts

Medium red. Sexy, high-toned red cherry and red berry aromas showcase the wine's Grenache component (but this vintage features the lowest percentage to date of this variety). Bright, ripe raspberry and cherry flavors are complicated by smoky and peppery nuances. A very graceful red blend with sweet tannins and excellent persistence.

-- Stephen Tanzer 91 Points

Sweet, savory aromas lead the way, sort of a mineral-laden black fruit---dark berries and plums. Smoke, dried herbs, violet, meat, wet stones and a hint of ironstone complete the package. It penetrates yet is a broad fragrant expression. I've always felt the aromatic range of this wine has its foundation in the four clones we use.

The black fruits continue on the palate, with black cherry, dark plum and spices echoing the aroma. While it's rich, almost luxurious, there's a tannic foundation and a structured acidity. Floral and earthy, the dried herbs and stones emerge here too, along with tobacco, thyme and lavender. This is a food-lover's Syrah, with weight, brightness and dimension.

(Clones 174, 383, 99 and Phelps) Vineyards: Ciel du Cheval Ranch at the End of the Road Classic Red Mountain character defines the Syrah La Côte Rousse, despite being the product of a cooler vintage. The warm site vineyards, Ciel du Cheval and Ranch at the End of the Road accumulated more heat than our other sites and ripened the four Syrah clones to a greater extent; we’ve never seen Red Mountain deliver less than full physiological maturity, every vintage. Nevertheless this vintage retains a vibrancy and energy that isn’t often found on Red Mountain.

Review:

From the hot, windswept slopes of Red Mountain, the 2014 Syrah la Cote Rousse is a serious, tight, backwards effort that won’t be for those looking for instant gratification. Possessing classic Red Mountain red and black fruits, dried earth, pepper, dried spice and black olive characteristics, it’s full-bodied, beautifully textured, has flat out awesome purity and impeccable balance. Give it 4-5 years of cellaring and drink it over the following decade or so.

While there's a long history of terrific wines from this estate, I think they've hit another level in the past few vintages, and these latest releases show a purity, elegance and textural quality not found in early bottlings. I'm sure this is in part due to the creation of a second wine, and even a stricter selection for all of the top cuvees. In short, don't miss a chance to try these wines. 96 Points Wine Advocate