Wine maker notes

A region known for its Malbec, Mendoza has the ideal combination of climate and soil to coax forward a spicy intensity and plush texture from this varietal. We sourced our fruit from the Uco Valley and Lujan de Cuyo regions, where the vineyards sit at an elevation between 900 to 1,200 meters, experiencing an arid, high-dessert climate that can show extreme variations in temperatures over a single day. The sandy-loam soils are well-drained and nutrient-poor, which produce low yields of small grapes with concentrated flavors and intense aromas. We used a series of traditional winemaking techniques to craft this classic Malbec. The grapes were hand harvested into small bins and brought to the winery, where the fruit was destemmed and placed into stainless steel tanks. By keeping temperatures low, we extended fermentation time and retained the bright fruit flavors. Regular pump-over maintained good contact between the juice and skins. To impart lovely spice nuances, we aged 40 percent of the wine with French and American oak for 12 months.