Fabien Jouves

Fabien Jouves, natural winemaker of Mas del Perie in Cahors, France

Fabien Jouves belongs to the golden generation of Cahors, the young vignerons who dragged the appellation's dark Malbec out of rusticity and into pure, vivid life.

Backstory

Born into an old farming family from the Causse, Jouves trained in oenology and spent time in Bordeaux before returning home. In 2006 he founded Mas del Perie on the highest slopes of Cahors, taking over the family estate and recasting it as a reference point for natural Malbec.

The Region

The domaine sits at the junction of the Quercy plateau and Cahors in southwest France, on high limestone soils that give the wines tension and freshness alongside Malbec's natural depth.

Vineyards and Farming

Jouves works roughly 20 to 21 hectares biodynamically, with Demeter certification since 2011. Cot, the local name for Malbec, is the king grape, and he selects parcels specifically to show its many faces across the terroir.

Winemaking

Vinification is done as naturally as possible, with no oenological additions. Wines age according to their character in concrete vats, barrels, and larger casks until they reach maturity.

The Wines

The lineup runs from the easygoing Haute Cot(e) de Fruit to terroir-specific Cahors bottlings, all built to highlight Malbec as a fresh, drinkable, place-driven wine.

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Natural Winemakers

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