This cuvée showcases superb terroir, with deep, intense aromas that harmoniously blend ripe fruit and spices. On the palate, the attack is full-bodied and the structure is well-defined, supported by silky tannins. The delicately spicy finish lingers with finesse. A wine of undeniable charm.
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Eye
Dark Dress
Nose
Deep aromas of ripe black fruit, spices, and licorice
Palate
Beautiful body and texture, structured yet rounded tannins, and a lovely, lingering finish with subtle spice notes
Serve
In a decanter, at 16–18°C
Open
2 hours before
Drink before
2031
Food and Wine Pairings
Pairs well with game, red meats in sauce, duck confit, cassoulet…
Bettane & Desseauve
Wine rated (2026 guide) 94/100
Rated estate (2026 guide): 3* Stars (A high-quality production that serves as a benchmark in its sector)
About the estate:
Jean-Pierre Ilbert founded Château Combel La Serre after leaving the cooperative winery in 1998. To promote the estate, the family traveled extensively throughout France. The turning point came in 2011 when his son Julien and his wife Sophie decided to switch to organic farming (certification obtained in 2013). Together, they breathed new life into this 26-hectare estate. As in Burgundy, everything revolves around plot-by-plot selection, highlighting the distinct terroirs in which they strongly believe, and creating stylish cuvées with modern labels. The grape varieties are traditional for the reds but more unconventional for the whites, featuring Vermentino and Albariño, which they are particularly fond of. The wines’ style is precise, fruit-forward, and clearly expressive of the terroir. This close-knit couple channels their ambition and enthusiasm into their wines.
RVF - La Revue du Vin de France / Guide des Meilleurs Vins de France
Wine rated (2026 guide) 94/100 Favorite
Rated estate (2026 guide) 1*Star (Up-and-coming stars or high-quality winemakers producing wines of a good standard—you won’t be disappointed when you taste the wines from these estates)
About the estate:
Julien Ilbert and his wife Sophie are the driving force behind this vineyard, whose existence has been documented since 1900. Breaking with his father’s approach, Julien shifted the focus to bottling; he set out to forge a new identity, adorning his various bottles with expressive and modern labels. His vintages gain more and more prominence with each passing year. He draws the best from the 23 hectares planted with “Auxerrois”—the local name for Malbec—as well as his Vermentinos and Albariños, southern grape varieties that find here a terroir and climate perfectly suited to them. Alongside the single-vineyard wines Le Lac aux Cochons (iron-rich limestone soil), Au Cerisier (red clay), and Les Peyres Levades (limestone), he is introducing new bottles to the lineup that showcase the remarkable evolution of the Cahors vineyards.
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