The estate wine of Jean-Luc Baldès is often overshadowed by the limited production wines. In itself, though, it is a firm, solid, well balanced wine, rich and expressing the minerality of Malbec in Cahors. Producer Information JL Baldès Wines is a wine producer based in Cahors in southwestern France. Its portfolio is dominated by the Malbec grape variety, known locally as Côt and Auxerrois, which accounts for a majority of the vines cultivated in the 70 hectares (173 acres) of vineyards. Etienne Baldès planted the first vines in Cahors in 1830, establishing the Clos Triguedina vineyard on the area's clay-rich soils. It suffered during the phylloxera epidemic in 1877, but many of the old vines survived and now provide the grapes for JL Baldès' Malbec grand vin, Probus. The current proprietor, Jean-Luc Baldès, significantly expanded the original Triguedina vineyards with acquisitions in the communes of Puy l'Evêque, Vire sur Lot, Floressas and Touzac. In terms of red grape varieties, smaller quantities of Merlot and Tannat complement the larger plantings of Malbec. Chardonnay, Viognier and Chenin Blanc are the source of the estate's white wine range. In general, JL Badès wines are vinified under temperature-controlled conditions in stainless steel vats and are aged for between 12-18 months in Allier oak barrels, tuns or vats. The Probus spends 20 to 25 days in stainless steel vats and is then aged for 12 months in oak. Jean-Luc Baldès' prestigious The New Black Wine follows a similar aging process, but prior to fermentation, the Malbec grapes are placed in a prune oven and heated overnight to concentrate their flavor. This was a common winemaking practice during the Middle Ages in Cahors, making a wine that was known as vin noir or "black wine". JL Baldès Wines also produces a range of Malbec-predominant blends under the Cahors and IGP Comte Tolosan titles, as well as a sparkling rosé and a fortified wine made from 100 percent Malbec.
