In 2014 we traveled to Montpellier, France to attend the organic wine fair Millesime Bio. Planning ahead, various samples from leading Cahors estates who did not participate in the show, were sent to the hotel. This mission was quickly set back after tasting the traditionally-made Black Wine from Malbec after breakfast. The nose was not giving and gritty tannins reduced the enjoyment of the young wines to zero. Thoughts were how long would one need to wait for them to mature and display the characteristic undergrowth and plum aromas? Never, ever? These wines do progress glacially.

At the fair we were luckily offered an altogether different experience with many producers using different winemaking techniques to soften the tannins and making wines earlier fleshier. Meeting Daniel Fournié and tasting his wines we quickly realized these will offer more in the glass than most Bordeaux at the same price.

Daniel and Cathy followed a…