Lucter, Château de Haute-Serre, Georges Vigouroux 2022 75cl

Lucter is Château de Haute-Serre's fresher, more immediate Cahors — 100% Malbec, named after Lucterius, a Gaulish chieftain who held out against Rome in this corner of South-West France. It's the estate cuvée built for early drinking rather than long cellaring.

The Vigouroux family have championed Cahors Malbec for generations, and this bottling shows the grape's brighter, more approachable side. It spends around a year in seasoned older oak barrels — the point being freshness and fruit, not a heavy vanilla overlay. 2022 was a warm, dry vintage that gave ripe, concentrated fruit while the estate's altitude kept things lively.

The nose leads with fresh blackcurrant and raspberry, lifted by a peppery, floral violet note, with blackberry, chocolate and a touch of liquorice underneath. The attack is crisp and balanced, the dark fruit ripe and succulent, the tannins silky. It's medium- to full-bodied with a berry-soaked mouthfeel and a spicy finish — real character for the money, with an unexpected suaveness.

At £18.99 this is a genuine bargain and one of the more honest introductions to Cahors you'll find. No need to wait — it's drinking beautifully now and made to be enjoyed young.

How to Serve

Serve at 16–18°C, or lightly cooler on a warm day. No decant required, though a few minutes in the glass helps the violet notes emerge.

Where to Drink It

Dandy on Maltby Street for a relaxed bite. Planque in Haggerston for a fun list. Or Noble Rot in Bloomsbury for its Francophile leanings.

Food Pairings

A midweek steak frites or a bowl of duck ragû. The juicy fruit and gentle grip also handle a good charcuterie board with ease.