Les Grèzes is the flagship white wine of Château du Cèdre — and one of the rarest and most sought-after white wines in the entire Southwest. At an estate renowned for its legendary Cahors wines, this white wine with the IGP Côtes du Lot designation surprises and impresses: Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe demonstrate here that they have mastered the art of white wine just as well as that of Malbec.
Château du Cèdre—the gold standard of Cahors
For over twenty years, Pascal and Jean-Marc Verhaeghe have made Château du Cèdre the undisputed benchmark of the Cahors appellation. Both are certified oenologists and have been managing the estate using certified organic farming methods since 2012. The RVF Guide awards them 2 out of 3 stars, praising their consistency and the exceptional quality of their wines. The red Le Cèdre consistently scores 95/100 GMF—a global benchmark for Malbec.
The vineyard benefits from an exceptional terroir in Vire-sur-Lot: on one side, the Tran—a particularly stony cone of limestone scree that produces fine, elegant wines; on the other, pebbly soils over iron-rich sand that lend greater power. The vines for this white cuvée are planted on the limestone scree of Les Grèzes—an ideal geology for freshness and minerality.
Blend and Viticulture
Sauvignon Blanc 50%, Sémillon 40%, Muscadelle 10%—the great white trio of the Southwest, grown here on 25-year-old vines planted on the highly stony limestone soils of Les Grèzes. Hand-harvested with rigorous sorting. Whole-cluster pressing. Slow fermentation with native yeasts, without any oenological additives. Aged for 8 months on fine lees: 20% in 500-liter oak barrels, 80% in stainless steel tanks—a precise ratio that adds texture and roundness without masking the freshness. A very small amount of sulfur is added only before bottling.
Pascal Verhaeghe describes his approach to lees as follows: "With healthier fruit thanks to organic farming, we start with fewer lees—but after 18–24 months, there are practically none left; they’ve all been assimilated by the wine. Zero reduction. It’s fascinating.”
Tasting Notes
Color: pale yellow with golden highlights, bright and clear.
Nose: fragrant and precise—lemon zest, damp stones, fresh herbs, light spicy notes. An elegance reminiscent of the great white Bordeaux wines.
Palate: juicy, flavorful, with lovely tension. Alluring body and texture, fresh, well-integrated acidity, and a long, precise finish. The Muscadelle contributes a subtle floral note that lingers on the finish.
Style: a white wine of great precision, somewhere between a Loire Sauvignon and a Bordeaux Sémillon—rare and distinctive. 92/100 James Suckling (2023), 93/100 Lobenberg (2024).
Serving: at 12–14°C. Peak 2027–2030.
Food and wine pairings
Fine fish (sea bass, turbot, sole with beurre blanc), scallops with coral cream sauce, roasted lobster, sweetbreads, poultry with cream and mushrooms. Hard cheeses (18–24-month Comté, Beaufort). Risotto with porcini mushrooms or truffles.
Discover the other vintages from Château du Cèdre: Le Cèdre 2022 (95/100 GMF), as well as our selection of organic wines from the Southwest and our great dry organic whites.
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