Domaine Les Roques de Cana: a wine voted ‘best Malbec in the world

Passionate about History and deeply involved in student life, it’s easy to imagine Martial as a professor. However, it’s the entrepreneurial spirit that seems to drive this man. Creator of the student orientation website Mastersbooking.fr, Martial recently reconnected with his oldest passion: wine.

Available directly from the estate on Avenue des Vins.

How did Martial come to create the estate?

From history to winemaking

I’ve always dreamed of creating a vineyard in the Cahors region, to which I am very attached. My goal was to acquire a terroir with varied vineyard parcels intended for cooperative winemaking.

In 2003, he began acquiring some terroirs, his heart leading him to the Cahors vineyard in the Roques terroir. Today, Domaine Les Roques de Cana spans 39 hectares of vines.

What inspires the estate's range of wines?

Fruity wines with marked freshness

Martial's passion for wine and his attachment to the history of Cahors represent the essence of Domaine Les Roques de Cana. The winemaker is deeply inspired by the history of his region. The entire range of Domaine Les Roques de Cana wines is themed around a religious epic inspired by the Bible.

This "spirit" is reflected in the names of the three cuvées in the estate’s range: "Vin des Noces," "Sanguis Christi," and "Le Graal."

The wine of Cahors is closely linked to History and Christian faith. For eight centuries, it has been the Mass wine of the Orthodox Church, and the Malbec variety is considered to have sacred origins,

Martial explains.

What makes the Roques terroir and its wines stand out?

Three wines and numerous awards

Martial also emphasizes showcasing the Roques terroir.

Our terroir is marked by iron, which gives the wines a metallic and fresh character, avoiding overly opulent and spicy crus.

These valuable attributes, according to Martial, define the "strength and originality" of the Roques terroir. For example, Domaine Les Roques de Cana has stood out with its "Vin des Noces," a blend of 70% Malbec and 20% Merlot.

It’s a bold wine aged in a concrete tank. It’s not oaked, which is rare for a Cahors wine,

Martial highlights.

With only three wines, Domaine Les Roques de Cana has received numerous accolades from prestigious wine competitions. Notably, the "Sanguis Christi 2008" cuvée was named "Best Malbec in the World" by Vinexpo in 2009.

It was the first vintage of this cuvée, so it was a great surprise,

Martial recalls.

What does the future hold for the estate?

Expanding to international markets

Looking ahead, Martial plans to sustain Domaine Les Roques de Cana’s activity both in France and internationally, particularly in China, the USA, and Canada. Another project close to his heart is producing white wine. In line with his goal to honor the history of the Cahors vineyard, Martial aims to "unearth" Grenache Blanc and Marsanne, iconic white grape varieties of the Roques terroir. While the winemaker remains somewhat secretive about this project, he reveals that he hopes to implement it within the next 2 or 3 years.

Discover the wines of Domaine les Roques de Cana directly from the estate, at the estate price, in a short supply chain on Avenue des Vins.

Frequently asked questions about Domaine les Roques de Cana

Where is Domaine Les Roques de Cana located?

The estate lies in the Cahors vineyards of South-West France, on the Roques terroir. Martial Guiette farms 39 hectares here, assembled step by step from 2003 onwards.

Why is Malbec the signature grape of Cahors?

Malbec has ruled the Cahors appellation for centuries. Used as liturgical wine by the Orthodox Church for roughly eight hundred years, it carries a near-sacred reputation that the winemaker highlights across his three cuvées.

Which wines does the estate produce?

The domaine makes just three cuvées: Vin des Noces, Sanguis Christi and Le Graal. Their names draw on a biblical narrative, echoing the Christian roots of Cahors winemaking.

Which cuvée was voted Best Malbec in the World?

It was Sanguis Christi, in its 2008 vintage, awarded the title at the Vinexpo show in 2009. That was the very first release of the wine, which made the recognition all the more unexpected.

What gives these wines their distinctive freshness?

The Roques soil is rich in iron, lending the Malbec a fresh, mineral edge rather than a heavy, opulent style. The Vin des Noces, for instance, is aged in concrete and sees no oak at all.