***RECENTLY BOTTLED WINE, SHIPPING BEGINS NEXT WEEK***
We’ve unearthed another rare gem: bold, powerful Napa Valley Malbec!
Despite Malbec's explosion in popularity during the aughts, it still accounts for less than 1% of Napa wine production (a good chunk of which is used for blending). Solo Malbec releases here are quite uncommon, so if you encounter one in the wild there’s a high likelihood it was somebody’s passion project, and purposely built with intention. Given how little there is to begin with, it’s no surprise that we haven’t landed one in over four years (which happens to be the last time the industry was facing similar supply issues), but we’re delighted to be back in the game with a stellar 2023 effort from a world-class producer at less than $15/bottle!
Lot 518 is a 100% estate-grown small lot Malbec from an apex vintage, sourced from a winery located on the valley floor under multiple generations of stewardship. A marvelous expression of the varietal containing plenty of depth, structure, and wonderful concentration, it’s crafted in the vein of Reserva high altitude offerings from Argentina, and a “Malbec for a Cab drinker” through and through. Available direct from the tasting room just shy of $60/bottle, $720/case before shipping, we've secured it for you at a ridiculous value – over 75% OFF!
Our price: $179/case DELIVERED, $14+/bottle to your door.
It takes an inspired producer to devote the time and effort into growing Malbec in Northern California, and our source is just that. A leader in the evolution of farming practices, they meticulously cultivate some of the purest fruit in Napa. The estate’s well-draining alluvial soils, similar to the dirt found in Malbec’s adopted homeland of Mendoza, force roots deep for moisture. 2023 provided pitch-perfect conditions for this particularly thick-skinned grape to fully ripen while building crucial acidity, and after a few extra weeks of hang time, our source hand-picked the fruit with utmost care before heading for the cellar, where the bunches remained intact during fermentation to add complexity before settling into top-of-the-line French oak.
Black and blue fruits abound on the nose, mingling with cherries and shaved granite that showcase a wonderful depth, drawing you deeper into the glass. On the palate, the wine reveals a compelling core of blue-to-black fruit alongside notes of raspberry compote, grilled meat, and an intricate structure. Medium+ acidity and finely integrated tannins promise excellent aging potential, while the concentrated and precise finish unfurls with delicate spice, cassis, blueberries, and violets over a clean, dry exit.
