2022 Malbec
Tasting Notes
Distinguished by its deep, ink-like black hue, the 2022 Malbec is bold, concentrated, and full-bodied, offering expressive aromas of blackberry purée and fresh huckleberry layered with subtle hints of pine sap. The palate is remarkably smooth, showcasing flavors of elderberry, smoked truffle, white pepper, and a touch of wet stone. A refined French oak influence carries through to an elegant, balanced finish.
Vineyard Designation
100% Estate Grown
Vintage Notes
The 2022 vintage in the Yakima Valley was a bit of a roller coaster. A mild winter extended into spring with early frost periods and winter-like conditions in April. The cool spring delayed bud break by a few weeks and caused delayed growth in the vineyard as we moved into summer. Each vineyard block was meticulously managed to ensure a ripe crop by harvest. We lowered clusters per vine and allowed for more sunlight exposure. By mid-July, temperatures finally started warming up and led to record growth in a short amount of time. Fortunately, warm summer temperatures extended into fall, helping to lengthen the growing season and allowing the grapes to continue to ripen. Harvest ended up being delayed approximately three weeks from a typical year. We gratefully did not experience any fall frost events, so the grapes had extended hang time on the vines to achieve optimal ripeness and excellent flavor development. Overall, the 2022 vintage displays ripe flavors, bountiful fruit aromas, and balanced acidity. The wines can be enjoyed in their youth, or they can cellar for many years to come.
Winemaking Notes
The fruit for our 2022 Malbec hails from select reserve-tier blocks of our estate vineyard in the Yakima Valley, meticulously managed for low yields to enhance ripeness and flavor concentration. Harvested at peak maturity in late October, the grapes were hand-sorted using our optical sorter, destemmed (not crushed), and transferred to a concrete tank for a 48-hour cold soak. Fermentation with a specific yeast strain in concrete tanks enhanced mouthfeel, lifted aromatics, and added subtle mineral nuances. Gentle, extended aerated pump-overs ensured a balanced tannin structure and integrated acidity. After 15 days on the skins, the wine was gently pressed and transferred to premium French oak barrels crafted in Chile. For the first three months, lees were stirred bi-monthly to enrich texture and soften the palate. The wine was aged for 21 months in 66% new and 34% neutral (2–3-year-old) French oak before final tank aging in preparation for bottling.
* Produced in a Vegan Manner (No animal byproducts used in the production of this wine)
Food Pairing
Cuban-Styled Lechon Asado (Roasted Pork)
Garlic & Jalapeno Bison Burger
Swordfish Steak with Mango-chutney
Shropshire Blue Cheese or Manchego
- Varietal Composition: Malbec
- Appellation: Yakima Valley
- Cases Produced: 136
- Alcohol: 13.8%
- pH: 3.69
- Acidity: 6.0 g/L
- Ageability: Enjoy now through 2038, with optimal maturity around 2032.