The Cosse and Maisonneuve estate is, among the biodynamic estates of the Cahors AOC, the one that has pushed the philosophical coherence of the project the furthest. Founded in 1999 by Matthieu Cosse and Catherine Maisonneuve at 920 route des Beraudies, Lacapelle-Cabanac (46700), run under biodynamics from the start and Demeter-certified, the estate produces 20 hectares of Cahors with rare precision. Our top 10 Cahors wines 2026 ranks the "Le Combal" cuvée at number 5.
For general context, see our complete guide to the Cahors AOC.
Estate identity card
- Location: 920 route des Beraudies, 46700 Lacapelle-Cabanac (Lot, left bank, west of Puy-l'Évêque).
- Surface: 20 hectares.
- Winemakers: Matthieu Cosse and Catherine Maisonneuve, founders of the estate in 1999, both trained oenologists.
- Grape varieties: dominant Malbec (90%), complemented by Merlot, Tannat and — singularity — Cabernet Franc (Sidérolithe and Carmenet cuvées).
- Approach: biodynamics practised from the start, Demeter certification. Vinifications without inputs, indigenous yeasts, wines neither fined nor filtered.
- Ageing: foudre, amphora, barrel (low new-oak proportion), long and meticulous ageing.
- House style: precision, energy, refusal of any oenological make-up.
History: 1999, two oenologists and a biodynamic project
The estate was created in 1999 by two oenologists: Matthieu Cosse and Catherine Maisonneuve. The couple, trained in classical oenology, deliberately chose Cahors to found a biodynamic estate — at the time, biodynamics was still almost non-existent here. It is therefore a pioneering project of the appellation, not a marketing repositioning.
The estate settled in Lacapelle-Cabanac, on the left bank of the Lot west of Puy-l'Évêque, on a terroir of collapsed limestone scree ("éboulis calcaires") well suited to biodynamic Malbec. The couple also introduced a rare singularity in Cahors: Cabernet Franc, which would yield two cuvées (Carmenet from 2008, Sidérolithe from 2017).
The range grew progressively: Le Combal, La Fage and Les Laquets form the historic core; La Marguerite (from 2011) was added as a prestige cuvée.
The terroir: limestone scree, three expressions
The estate farms three complementary terroirs around Lacapelle-Cabanac, giving identity to the three principal cuvées:
- Le Combal: most free-draining soils of the estate, stones and quartz pebbles. Yields an airy and surprisingly digestible Cahors, a profile of drinkability.
- La Fage: high clay proportion, more substance, yields a denser, more structured wine with ageing potential of around fifteen years.
- Les Laquets: hilltop, more limestone soils, yields power and finesse, strong ageing potential — the high-end single-plot cuvée.
This plot diversity, coupled with strict biodynamic practice, allows Matthieu Cosse to read the terroir with rare precision. Wine lovers come to the estate specifically for the comparative plot tasting — which should be mandatory in the programme of any sommelier working on the South-West.
To understand the structure of Cadurcian terroirs, see our terroir and climate and soils pages.
Biodynamics: a project, not a fashion
When Matthieu Cosse founded the estate in 1999, biodynamics was still marginal at Cahors. The shift to organic then biodynamic farming is a founding act of the project — not a late opportunistic turn. The estate is Demeter-certified and has applied biodynamic principles from the start.
Concretely, this means:
- Biodynamic preparations (500, 501, etc.) applied according to the lunar calendar.
- Manual soil work on the steepest plots.
- Low- or non-interventionist vinifications — spontaneous fermentation with indigenous terroir yeasts.
- Wines neither fined nor filtered — ageing in foudre, amphora and lightly marked barrel.
- Sulphur applied in very low quantities, sometimes absent on certain cuvées.
The result is pure, energetic Cahors faithful to their terroir, appreciated by demanding international wine lovers and by several specialised wine merchants in Northern Europe, Ireland and Japan.
Flagship cuvées
Le Combal
Cahors AOC red · Stony + quartz pebble soils · 5-8 years
The signature cuvée of the estate. From the most free-draining soils, long vinification, ageing in foudre + lightly marked barrel. Airy and surprisingly digestible profile for a Cahors, upright tannins, mineral base. Very good value.
Our number 5 in the top 10 Cahors wines 2026.
La Fage
Cahors AOC red · Clay soils · 10-15 years
Single-plot cuvée with high clay proportion, denser and more structured than Le Combal. Long ageing, more present tannic profile. Ageing potential around fifteen years.
Les Laquets
Cahors AOC red · Hilltop, limestone · 12-20 years
The high-end single-plot cuvée. From a hilltop on more limestone soils, yielding power and finesse — long-ageing wine, austere profile in youth but magnificent after ten years.
La Marguerite
Cahors AOC prestige red (launched 2011) · 12-20 years
Prestige cuvée launched in 2011 — advanced plot selection, mature expression of biodynamic Malbec.
Sidérolithe
Cahors AOC red — micro-cuvée 100% Cabernet Franc (launched 2017) · 10-15 years
A Cadurcian singularity. Cabernet Franc is traditionally minor at Cahors (the AOC requires 70% Malbec minimum); this micro-cuvée pushes 100% Cabernet Franc as a Vin de France or in blends depending on the vintage. Very limited production. For Cabernet Franc lovers who want to see what the grape gives on the limestone scree of the Lot.
Carmenet
Vin de France 100% Cabernet Franc (launched 2008) · 6-10 years
Precursor cuvée of the "Cabernet Franc" range of the estate, as Vin de France outside the AOC. More accessible than Sidérolithe, more immediate profile.
The editor's word
Cosse-Maisonneuve is one of the absolute reference estates of the Cahors AOC for those who appreciate a pure, no-make-up style: tense and mineral signature, unique Cabernet Franc singularity in the appellation, Demeter biodynamics practised from the start.
Strengths:
- Philosophical coherence over 25 years. Biodynamics practised from the 1999 foundation, not a late marketing pivot.
- Educational single-plot cuvées: a comparative tasting at Cosse-Maisonneuve teaches more about Cadurcian terroir than almost any other experience.
- Cabernet Franc singularity (Carmenet from 2008, Sidérolithe from 2017) — an angle that almost does not exist elsewhere in the appellation.
- Demanding international distribution: listed at the best specialist wine merchants and sommeliers in Ireland, Japan and Northern Europe — a sign of recognition by expert palates.
- Very low-interventionist vinifications: indigenous yeasts, no fining or filtration — each cuvée tells its plot.
To note for the wine lover:
- Assertive style on Les Laquets: hilltop limestone single-plot cuvée, austere and mineral in youth — it reveals itself fully after a few years of cellaring. To discover the house style, start with Le Combal (digestible, airy) before moving up to Les Laquets or La Marguerite.
- Selective distribution: estate sold mainly through specialist wine merchants and online (Twil, Cavissima). This selectivity is part of the qualitative positioning.
- Deliberately limited production: certain cuvées (notably Sidérolithe and Carmenet) sell out quickly — order ahead.
An essential estate for anyone who wants to understand the possibilities of Malbec in Cahors under biodynamics, and the rare expression of Cabernet Franc on limestone scree.
Public sources consulted: cosse-maisonneuve.fr (official site — address, cuvées, founders) · iDealwine — Cosse Maisonneuve (iDealwine prices — La Marguerite, Sidérolithe) · Vignerons d'Exception (catalogue with prices) · La Passion du Vin (history, philosophy). Profile published and updated 15 May 2026.
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