2018 Estate Malbec
This is the fifth vintage of our Estate Riverbend Vineyard Malbec. As the Malbec vines have matured over the years the resulting grapes, and wines, have become darker and inkier in both color and flavor. The 2018 vintage is an exquisite example of true Malbec varietal character.
Bright plum with notes of black licorice, cocoa dust
Pick decisions are based equally on grape juice chemistry (Brix/pH/TA), as well as flavor and physical maturity of the grapes. Harvested early in the morning, the hand-picked grapes are promptly delivered to the winery for immediate processing. Whole-cluster sorted to remove any material other than grapes (MOG), before being destemmed and lightly crushed into 1-ton fermenters. The must is allowed to rest for 24 hours before inoculation with a selected yeast strain. The must is gently punched-down twice daily to ensure proper phenolic extraction. When fermentation is nearly complete the free-run wine is pumped directly into a combination of French and American oak barrels (225L). Barrel aged 22 months, followed by another year in bottle before release.
| Varietal | Malbec |
| Varietal Composition | 90% Malbec, 7% Syrah, 3% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Appellation | Wahluke Slope |
| Vineyard | Estate Riverbend Vineyard |
| Alcohol | 15.80% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 08/2020 |
| Cases Produced | 328 |
Estate Riverbend Vineyard
