Why it matters
The producer
Jérôme Baradat, an agricultural engineer with international experience in California, Latin America and Spain, returned to his native Béarn and established Maison Marlère in 2011 as a négociant brand. A négociant house brings together wines from regional producers instead of operating as a traditional domaine. Maison Marlère's portfolio is diverse, with Malbec reds alongside wines from several Southwest appellations and regional categories.
Place and vineyards
Where the wines begin
Maison Marlère begins in Béarn and reaches into Cahors, Madiran, Bergerac and IGP Côtes de Gascogne. The first three are appellation names, while IGP Côtes de Gascogne is a broader geographical category. Le Grand Gourmet Malbec carries Cahors, one specific appellation address within the wider portfolio.
Wines to know
The range in view
The named red wines include Le Grand Gourmet Malbec, the Cahors bottle, and La Petite Auberge Malbec, another Malbec red. The former is tied to a named appellation; the latter is presented as easy drinking. Together, they show a range that moves from a place named on the label to a Malbec wine with a more open drinking style.
Le Grand Gourmet Malbec 2024 has aromas of blueberry, blackberry, violet, licorice, pepper, fresh herbs and vanilla, with a subtle oak influence. La Petite Auberge Malbec 2023 has berries, lingonberry, black and red currant, cassis leaves, chocolate and spices on the nose. Its palate carries intense red and ripe black fruit with a hint of spice in an easy drinking style.