2021 Reserve Malbec 750ml

2021 HANNA Reserve Malbec, Alexander Valley, 93 POINTS, Wine Enthusiast - The nose of this opaque, almost purple, wine shows aromas of lavish black cherry, raspberry and anise. Broad and textured, the palate is saturated with cassis, blueberry, coffee and licorice flavors, giving way to a long and marvelously balanced finish with plenty of acid to balance the richness of the tannin. Grill a steak and go to town!

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.

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: Blackberry, plum compote, licorice, cherry pie, toast, butterscotch, brioche, plum galette, apricot and vanilla. Full tasting notes coming soon.

Variety: 84% Malbec, 10% Cab, 6% St Macaire

Age of Vines: Seven to nine years

Alcohol  14.4%

Malolactic fermentation: 100% of blend

Bottling Date: June 28, 2023