Les Volets Malbec 2024

Get to know: Les Volets Malbec 2024, Haute Vallée de l’Aude, France

A juicy, high-altitude French Malbec with real freshness and flair.

Tasting Note

This isn’t your usual heavyweight Malbec. Grown in the cool climate of the Haute Vallée de l’Aude, it’s brighter, fresher and more fragrant. Expect aromas of crushed blueberries and crème de cassis, with subtle floral hints and a whisper of cocoa. The palate is all about vibrant red fruit – think cranberry and red plum – with a juicy lift and a gently dry finish. All the rich fruit you’d expect from Malbec, but lighter on its feet – a modern take from the cooler foothills of the Pyrenees.

Top food pairings:

• Grilled steaks or lamb chops
• Seared tuna or roasted aubergine
• Cheese: aged Comté or Manchego

Kate Says

“This is Malbec with a twist – lighter, cooler and bursting with freshness. It’s got the fruit and structure you want, but with a bit more elegance and zip. Ideal for those who love Malbec but want something a bit more food-friendly and versatile.”

Producer Info

Les Volets is a range of wines crafted by winemaker Guillaume Létang, with a focus on cooler terroirs in the south of France. The name means “shutters” – like the classic wooden shutters found on village houses in this part of the world – and each wine is designed to reflect the character and climate of its region.

The fruit for this Malbec comes from the lesser-known area of Pays Cathare, near Carcassonne and Limoux. Here, the altitude and argilo-calcaire soils give elegance and lift to the wine. While Malbec is often bold and used for blending, Guillaume lets the variety shine here with minimal oak and maximum purity. It's sustainably grown and certified to the highest environmental standard (HVE3).

How it’s made:

• 100% Malbec from Haute Vallée de l’Aude
• Cool, high-altitude vineyards near Carcassonne and Limoux
• Sustainably farmed, HVE3 certified
• Minimal oak influence to let the fruit shine
• Vinified for freshness, lift and drinkability

Good to know:

• Region: Haute Vallée de l’Aude, France
• Appellation: IGP Haute Vallée de l’Aude
• Grape: 100% Malbec
• Vintage: 2024
• ABV: 13%
• Closure: Screwcap
• Vegan: Yes
• Sustainable: HVE3 certified

Why we love it:

A joyful, expressive Malbec that shows what cooler-climate French winemaking can do. Smooth, fruity, and refreshingly different – it’s the kind of bottle you’ll want to keep in easy reach.