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Tasting Notes
Tasting Note
Impressive from first sight, the wine in the glass is a dark garnet color remarkable for its depth. Rich and plush in the mouth with chewy, well defined tannins. Aromas and flavors of dark fruits such as mulberry, blackberry jam, ripe blueberry and fig. Serious, but not overly so, less structured than a Cabernet Sauvignon but just as pleasing, this is the “something just a bit different” wine to enjoy year-round with grilled meats, hearty stews and creamy cheeses. Enjoy today or hold a bit for the rewards yet to come as the wine gains complexity.
Technical Information
| Varietal | Malbec |
|---|---|
| Vintage | 2017 |
| Volume | 750mL |
| Appellation | California |
| Blend | 98% Malbec, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Oak Treatment | Aged 9 months in French Oak (53% New) |
| Alcohol % | 14.9% |
| Enclosure Type | Cork |
| pH | 3.8 |
Scores & Accolades
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93
JamesSuckling.com
“Crushed blackberry, bramble fruit and licorice join savory aromas of black olive and oyster shell. It’s medium-to full-bodied with sleek, supple tannins. Wonderfully juicy and smooth with concentrated, ripe fruit. Lots of malbec character. Drink or hold.” - James Suckling, January 2021
Winemaking
Winemaking
Fruit was optically sorted, selecting only the highest quality fruit for fermentation in stainless vessels. Fruit was allowed to ferment for up to 23 days with regular pump-overs to extract deep color and rich flavors. The wine was then gently pressed, racked and aged for nine months in 100% French oak, 53% new.
Harry Hansen - Winemaker
Director of Winemaking Harry Hansen was raised in nearby Sonoma County. “One of my earliest memories of wine was the gallon jug of red wine that we always had at home. I would go with my father to a local winery, maybe in Kenwood or Healdsburg, to refill that jug and chit-chat with the winery proprietors. The aromas of those wines were always something attractive, somehow mysterious, but always memorable.”
Harry joined Sterling Vineyards and relocated to Napa Valley just before the 2011 Harvest. “The opportunity to join such a respected Napa Valley winery is exciting and a fantastic next step in my winemaking career. Sterling Vineyards is making some wonderful wines, and I look forward to taking that next step up in quality and reputation.”
Vintage
Vintage
Early season rains brought yields back to normal levels this year, mitigating the extended drought that afflicted most of California over the previous few years. A cool spring resulted in normal timing for bud break, in late March. Temperatures remained fairly cool in May and June, but high temperatures in July and again in September triggered an early start to harvest. Quality was solid for the vintage overall, with little impact from fall wildfires since most fruit was already harvested and in barrel.
Vineyard
Saint Helena AVA
Vineyard
Fruit for this vintage comes principally from the Bale Lane vineyard in St. Helena, where rocky Bale loam soils combined with a steady string of warm days leads to clusters that offer round and fruity expressions, perfect for Malbec, which thrives in both warm and cool climates.
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