Clos de Gamot 2020 Cahors 'Cuvee des Vignes Centenaires'

"Infinitely deeper; more reticent, saturated, deep, potent, brooding, … than the standard estate wine from Clos de Gamot, this 2020 Cahors from ‘Vignes Centenaires’ initially unwinds in the glass with slightly highly toned and nuanced aromas of sweet black plums, dried herbs, kirsch, dried rind, spices, and dried rose petals. As it takes on air it starts to close down, a development I always find distinctly pleasing as it bodes most well for the wine’s future. Vigorous swirling coaxes nostalgic echoes of velvety Rhododendron blossom, rose-bush sous bois, Cantonese Traditional Chinese Medicine Shop (think Sheung Wan, HK); and a faint interweaving of cooling, mineral notes akin to bromides and quartz. Phenomenal. 

The palate is taut and tensile, medium bodied but framed by massive structural tannins that loom like the columns at Karnak. Full and bracing at the opening, the wine is channelled through these daunting tannins in the middle palate, then settles to lower in the mouth towards the rear. The finish, very long and placid, is laced with salinity and minerality and feels very fine and elegant with repeating dark fruit, spice, and peel notes.\

The flavour profile here is still tightly wound; the overall impression is one of greater freshness and more elevated tones than the standard estate wine. Sliced cherries and crushed blackberry, some cassis; then nori and fresh bay;  blood orange and cassia bark. Very fine indeed." — David