The history of this firm dates back more than two centuries, with its roots in Parnac, Cahors. In 1941, Jean-Marie Rigal became the real pioneer of a long crusade in the vineyards of South-Western France. His knowledge of Cahors appellation terriors soon made it possible for him to extend his scope of action to the vineyards of Bergerac, Duras, Gaillac, Fronton, Madiran and Jurancon. The meticulous quality and crafting of its wines now make Rigal the undisputed leader in the top-of-the-line Cahors and south-west appellation wines. As a result of this reputation the Brothers Frank and Jacques Rigal recently sold the family business, but not their vinyards to JeanJean, one of Frances most dynamic wine companies. The component parcels of grapes are selected from individual sites around the Cahors region of Southwest France and transported as quickly as possible to the winery. Once at the Winery the grapes are gently crushed and fermented in temperature controlled stainless steel with a controlled yeast strain. Skin contact lasts for around 10 days when the wine is racked from the skins and completes fermentation to dryness in vat. After a short period of refinement in vat, the wine is bottled and aged for a few more months before release. A blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Merlot this wine is dark and brooding in the glass with an opaque deep purple colour and black fruit aromas of currants, figs and spices. In the mouth it is medium to full bodied with a mouthfilling concentration of plum, prune and cassis flavours, well integrated, silky tannin and a dry, balanced finish. (6 x 75 cl)
Region:
France, South West, Cahors
Producer:
JeanJean
Product ID:
46022
F & J Rigal PRIEURE DE CENAC Cahors AC
Description: The history of this firm dates back more than two centuries, with its roots in Parnac, Cahors. In 1941, Jean-Marie Rigal became the real pioneer of a long crusade in the vineyards of South-Western France. His knowledge of Cahors appellation terriors soon made it possible for him to extend his scope of action to the vineyards of Bergerac, Duras, Gaillac, Fronton, Madiran and Jurancon. The meticulous quality and crafting of its wines now make Rigal the undisputed leader in the top-of-the-line Cahors and south-west appellation wines. As a result of this reputation the Brothers Frank and Jacques Rigal recently sold the family business, but not their vinyards to JeanJean, one of Frances most dynamic wine companies. Aged from 15 to 24 months in new oak and is sourced exclusively from the 35ha estate which boasts a gravelly, stony soil, excellent for the drainage needed to encourage the production of high quality, concentrated grapes. A blend of 75% Malbec and 25% Merlot it is a warm, ripe, oaky and ambitious wine. Fully focussed on Malbec's black-liquorice facet with stylish cherry overtones, the palate is full of warmth, extract, and tannin with liquorice and a woody, cedar veneer. (6 x 75 cl) Price: £80.14
