Ostal Levant ‘Fioretti’ Rouge 2023
Location: France, Southwest, Cahors
Winemaker: Louis and Charlotte Pérot
Grapes: Côt (Malbec)
Winemaking: Organic farming, hand harvest. Destemned, 7 day maceration, aged in barrel for 12 months. Unfined and unfiltered. Vinified without sulfites.
From us at M&L: W.S. Merwin wrote of the sensuous wisdom of the people of “The Lost Upland” - from Limoux to Lascaux, Charente to Cahors - separated by some considerable distance but connected by ancient agricultural and commercial routes - the metaphysical “sud ouest” is famous as a romantic epitome for a “lost” way of French life. But here, too, the past several vintages have seen great losses due to late frosts.
Louis and Charlotte Pérot, in Cahors, embody the spirit of hardy, essential living, farming just over 2 hectares of mostly Côt (Malbec). They cultivate hybrids, too - ingenuity still questioned by the French government (that’s another story) - and work out of an underground quarry without electricity. Since 2017 they have struggled with frosts, but that hasn’t stopped them from producing exquisite wines with limited fruit.
These are elemental, concentrated Cahors, with a white rock shine that lifts the black fruits and petrichor. Wholesome and polished, “Fioretti” is dense but fresh - a perfect wine for those flannel nights of late summer.
Paysan is real. Drink real wine.
Location: France, Southwest, Cahors
Winemaker: Louis and Charlotte Pérot
Grapes: Côt (Malbec)
Winemaking: Organic farming, hand harvest. Destemned, 7 day maceration, aged in barrel for 12 months. Unfined and unfiltered. Vinified without sulfites.
From us at M&L: W.S. Merwin wrote of the sensuous wisdom of the people of “The Lost Upland” - from Limoux to Lascaux, Charente to Cahors - separated by some considerable distance but connected by ancient agricultural and commercial routes - the metaphysical “sud ouest” is famous as a romantic epitome for a “lost” way of French life. But here, too, the past several vintages have seen great losses due to late frosts.
Louis and Charlotte Pérot, in Cahors, embody the spirit of hardy, essential living, farming just over 2 hectares of mostly Côt (Malbec). They cultivate hybrids, too - ingenuity still questioned by the French government (that’s another story) - and work out of an underground quarry without electricity. Since 2017 they have struggled with frosts, but that hasn’t stopped them from producing exquisite wines with limited fruit.
These are elemental, concentrated Cahors, with a white rock shine that lifts the black fruits and petrichor. Wholesome and polished, “Fioretti” is dense but fresh - a perfect wine for those flannel nights of late summer.
Paysan is real. Drink real wine.
Location: France, Southwest, Cahors
Winemaker: Louis and Charlotte Pérot
Grapes: Côt (Malbec)
Winemaking: Organic farming, hand harvest. Destemned, 7 day maceration, aged in barrel for 12 months. Unfined and unfiltered. Vinified without sulfites.
From us at M&L: W.S. Merwin wrote of the sensuous wisdom of the people of “The Lost Upland” - from Limoux to Lascaux, Charente to Cahors - separated by some considerable distance but connected by ancient agricultural and commercial routes - the metaphysical “sud ouest” is famous as a romantic epitome for a “lost” way of French life. But here, too, the past several vintages have seen great losses due to late frosts.
Louis and Charlotte Pérot, in Cahors, embody the spirit of hardy, essential living, farming just over 2 hectares of mostly Côt (Malbec). They cultivate hybrids, too - ingenuity still questioned by the French government (that’s another story) - and work out of an underground quarry without electricity. Since 2017 they have struggled with frosts, but that hasn’t stopped them from producing exquisite wines with limited fruit.
These are elemental, concentrated Cahors, with a white rock shine that lifts the black fruits and petrichor. Wholesome and polished, “Fioretti” is dense but fresh - a perfect wine for those flannel nights of late summer.
Paysan is real. Drink real wine.