2019 Reserve Malbec 750ml
Vineyard: After farming a small test plot of Malbec for several years, in 2010 we planted a 10-acre block of Malbec (clone 9 on 101-14 rootstock). Prior to developing the block, we dug 30 pits to evaluate the soil profile: vigor potential, effective rooting zone, and water table depth. Ultimately, we planted 12,512 vines; varying vine spacing and irrigation output to correlate with the varying soil profiles throughout the block.
Vintage 2019: Winter was mild and very wet (50 plus inches of rain), delaying bud break and setting the stage for a low irrigation year. Degree-days tracked a bit higher than 2018, with ideal weather and no temperature spikes until we had a few hot days in mid-August and late September-which alleviated any worries about our bit of mid-September rain. 2019 was an extremely long harvest with moderate weather continuing into early November. We harvested the grapes for our Alexander Valley Malbec between October 8, and November 4, 2019, at an average of 25.1o degrees Brix.
Winemaking: We harvested in the cool hours from midnight to sunrise. The grapes were destemmed and crushed to stainless steel fermentation tanks. After a four to five-day cold soak, the lots were inoculated with AWRI Fusion yeast. Pressing was done “to taste,” based on daily, at times hourly, tastings of the wines after pumpover. The newly pressed wines were racked to tank and allowed to settle before barreling. The Reserve Malbec was aged for 18 months in 67% new European Oak barrels coopered by Nadalie, Remond and Trust.
Reserve Status: We regularly taste through our lots of Bordeaux reds. Exceptional lots and barrels are designated as potential blending components for our Reserve wines; criteria are intensity of fruit, complexity, suppleness, color and potential for longevity.
Tasting Notes: Saturated purple our 2019 Reserve Malbec is a caldron bursting with pistachio biscotti, anise, brown sugar dry rub, and boysenberry. By mouth it tries not one’s patience, being supple, seamless and offering a huge dollop of red cherry, guajillo, and oolong tea flavors. (Tasted 11-1-22)
Variety
88% Malbec, 7% Saint Macaire, 5% Petit Verdot
Vineyard Location
HANNA Red Ranch Malbec block 1, St. Macaire block 32 and PV block 26
Age of Vines
Seven to nine years
Alcohol 14.4%
pH 3.72
Titratable Acidity (TA)
0.53 g/100 mL
Residual Sugar 0.01%
Harvest Dates
October 8, and November 4, 2019
Avg. Brix at Harvest
25.1o
Malolactic fermentation
100% of blend
Length/Type of Aging
18 months in 60-gallon 67% new oak barrels coopered by Nadalie, Remond and Trust.
Bottling Date: June 21, 2021
Number of Cases: 205
Vegan