Southwest France's 'Black Wine' AOC — the Lot River valley beneath the medieval city of Cahors, producing wines from Malbec (locally called Côt or Auxerrois, minimum 70%) on the limestone causses plateaux and alluvial gravel terraces. Cahors Malbec is the original and most characterful expression of the variety — darker, more tannic, more mineral, and more age-worthy than the Mendoza versions that made Malbec globally famous. The distinction between causses limestone (deeper, more mineral) and terrasse alluvial (richer, more approachable) parallels Chinon's tuffeau-gravel distinction.
| Year | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | — | Outstanding Cahors vintage; Malbec from limestone causses showed extraordinary dark fruit concentration and the iron-mineral depth of the finest parcels. |
| 2021 | — | Classic vintage; cool Lot Valley conditions produced Malbec of excellent structure and dark cherry depth with more freshness than the warmer years. |
| 2020 | — | Benchmark year; Clos Triguedina and Château du Cèdre both produced wines of historic quality; causses limestone wines destined for 15+ year aging. |
| 2019 | — | Outstanding vintage; Cahors Malbec of extraordinary concentration and longevity; renewed international interest in the 'original Malbec' accelerated. |
| 2018 | — | Warm vintage producing generous, accessible Cahors of good concentration; terrasse alluvial wines particularly approachable; causses wines still structured. |