2021 Bismark Malbec 750ml
Vineyard: Our Bismark Mountain Ranch is in the Moon Mountain District Sonoma County appellation, high above the city of Sonoma and San Pablo Bay. Here on the southwestern flanks of the Mayacamas Mountains we grow eight acres of Malbec on terraces that follow the contours of the northwestern side of the ranch. We began planting in 1991 and continue to fine tune our mix of cultivars to this day. This is steep ground; shared with Creosote bush, Grey pine, coyote and mountain lion. Topographically it is similar to the Douro. Windy, sun drenched yet moderate in temperature, Bismark grudgingly produces grapes with an intense, deeply concentrated flavor. Bismark’s unique terroir is both fierce and alluring.
Bismark Vintage 2021: Winter 2021 was extremely dry and warm, resulting in an extended bud break and bloom. Crop levels were low in 2021 from a combination of weak spring growth, small clusters, and blustery days. Summer was consistently warm and verasion was early. We had a moderate heat push in early September, further hastening the Bismark harvest. The grapes for the Bismark Mountain Malbec were harvested on September 13, 2021.
Winemaking: The 2021 Bismark Malbec was cold soaked for five days with a blend of non-Saccharomyces yeast, before inoculation with FX10. The wine was pressed somewhat sweet, at 6 Brix, and finished fermentation in tank, before a mid-Autumn barreling. Ageing was sur lie in one hundred percent new oak coopered by Nadalie (Colbert & Symphony), Maury, and Bossuet.
Tasting Notes: Even in the challenging drought-influenced ’21 vintage, this wine exhibits our Bismark Malbec’s characteristic richness and generosity. Aromas of fresh-picked mid-summer berry medley - heavy on the blackberries and mulberries - sprinkled with orange zest and anise, served in a teak bowl. The flavors of abundant tart cherries are followed by chunks of dark chocolate alongside an iced Vietnamese coffee. All these confectionary notes belie the fact that there is absolutely no residual sugar. (Tasted 7/25/2024).
Variety
96% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Merlot, 1% St Macaire
Vineyard Location
Bismark Mountain blocks 26 Malbec, Cab block 6, Merlot block 24. Moon Mountain District Sonoma County
Age of Vines
16-29 years
Alcohol 14.7%
pH 3.74
Titratable Acidity (TA) 0.59 g/100 mL
Residual Sugar 0.0%
Avg. Brix at Harvest 27o
Length/Type of Aging 32 months in barrel
Oak Types 100% new oak: 80% French and 20% American coopered by Nadalie (Colbert & Symphony), Maury, and Bossuet
Bottling Date July 2024
Number of Cases 120