Aging
23 Months in French oak barrels (75% new)
Tasting Notes
The 2016 Malbec enchants the nose with aromas of plum, boysenberry and cherry
pie, all underlain with a suggestion of freshly toasted oak. A chewy, mouthfilling texture
presents flavors of Bing cherry, pomegranate and blackberry compote with notes of
cedar and savory spice. A distinct mineral quality joins juicy acidity on a lively finish.
Vineyard Notes
The 2016 Malbec comes from Block 45, which occupies a southwest-facing hilltop in
the heart of Margarita Vineyard. Here, soils of shale and ancient sea bed produce
intensely flavored Malbec with a bright, racy character. The 2016 growing season
was marked by warm, steady conditions and low yields, with the Malbec grapes
being harvested on October 26. The resulting fruit exhibited beautiful physiological
maturity with both concentration and structure. Margarita Vineyard stands alone as the
southernmost vineyard in the Paso Robles region, nestled into the rugged Santa Lucia
Mountain range just 14 miles from theh Pacific Ocean in the new Santa Margarita
AVA. The mountain peaks act as a gateway for cool marine air, resulting in an
extended growing season that yields fruit with uncommon depth and structure. The
peaks are also testaments to the tectonic forces that created Margarita Vineyard’s rare
diversity of soils, ultimately fostering natural complexity in our wines.