Malbec Napa Valley 2022

Retail: $121.00 | Wine Club: $96.80

VINTAGE NOTES
Significant rain in December and relatively dry, mild conditions through March created an early bud break. Alternating periods of warm and cool weather after March led to steady summer conditions that prevailed until the first week of September when temperatures rose significantly. Cooler weather after the heat spell allowed many of our hillside and south valley vineyards to recover from the heat and were harvested in great condition. Overall quality is excellent with wines showing a broad spectrum of aromas and flavors.

VINEYARD SOURCES
One of the five classic Bordeaux varieties, Malbec originated in the Cahors region of Southwest France where it is known as Cot. There are just over 500 acres planted to Malbec in the Napa Valley where it is mainly used as a blending variety. There are several areas in the Napa Valley where Malbec has been particularly successful including Yountville where a majority of these grapes are from along with Atlas Peak. In select vintages, we bottle a single variety Malbec that displays the deep, rich fruit of this variety.

WINEMAKER NOTES
In 2022, our winemakers blended 92% Malbec with 6% Cabernet Sauvignon and fermented 75% of the wine in French oak barriques of which 40% were new and 25% in stainless steel tanks. The wine was aged for 18 months in French oak barriques of which 30% were new.

NOSE: Forward, ripe aromas of blueberry, dark cherry and boysenberry accented by notes of coffee, black pepper, gingerbread and violets.
PALATE: Medium full-bodied flavors of blue plum and cassis combined with notes of menthol, earl grey tea and bittersweet chocolate.