Malbec Hounds...Listen up!

Was helping to set up a`94 VP tasting downtown, yeah Roy Hersch is here, and came across a `05 Domaine La Berangeraie, Cuvee Maurin.
Staff were all enthusiastic, am I onto a winner?

Hi Bob-
Never heard of this wine. What did you think about it?
Best-
Bill

Was helping to set up a`94 VP tasting downtown, yeah Roy Hersch is here, and came across a `05 Domaine La Berangeraie, Cuvee Maurin.
Staff were all enthusiastic, am I onto a winner?

This estate is a new one for me, Bob. So I consulted my French reference books. No mention in RVF's Le Classement nor in Bettane/Desseauve's Le Grand Guide, both of whom adopt the approach of rating estates. On the other hand it appears in Le Guide Hachette, which rates individual wines, in its 2006, 2008 and 2009 editions (I haven't looked further back).

Here is a rough translation of their review of your wine in their 2008 edition (i.e. tasted in Spring 2007) -

"Without one ounce of wood, this Malbec cuvée shows red and black fruit pointed up with violet touches. Intense in colour and marked by violet, it stays in this aromatic register on the palate at the same time as remaining fresh and well balanced."

In the 2009 edition, their more expensive La Gorgée de Mathis Bacchus 2005 earns ** .

It sounds better than OK.

Well, as the `06 has now arrived in the store, gonna open the `05 this evening. Much anticipation!
Guess an extra 9 months in the bottle will result in some different tasting notes. Here is my TN from early last year (one glass only).

`05 Domaine de la Berangeraie Cuvee Maurin, Cahors.

Interestingly served first. Dry, tannic initial mouthfeel. Blackcurrant mint on the nose. Needs time for sure, no ripe fruit here. Black fruits, herbs, nice wine. $23 Cdn good price, will add more to my small stash.