2019 Bismark Malbec 750ml
Vineyard: Our Bismark Mountain Ranch is in the Moon Mountain District Sonoma County appellation, high above the city of Sonoma and San Pablo Bay. Here on the southwestern flanks of the Mayacamas Mountains we grow eight acres of Malbec on terraces that follow the contours of the northwestern side of the ranch. We began planting in 1991 and continue to fine tune our mix of cultivars to this day. This is steep ground; shared with Creosote bush, Grey pine, coyote and mountain lion. Topographically it is similar to the Douro. Windy, sun drenched yet moderate in temperature, Bismark grudgingly produces grapes with an intense, deeply concentrated flavor. Bismark’s unique terroir is both fierce and alluring.
Bismark Vintage 2019: Winter was mild and very wet, (50 plus inches of rain) delaying bud break and setting the stage for a low irrigation year on the mountain. Degree-days tracked a bit higher than 2018, with ideal weather and no temperature spikes until we had two hot days in mid-August and late September-which alleviated any worries about our bit of mid-September rain. 2019 was an extremely long harvest with moderate weather continuing into early November. The grapes for the Bismark Mountain Malbec were harvested from October 9 to November 4, 2019.
Winemaking: Our 2019 Bismark Malbec was sorted, destemmed and crushed to tank. The wine was pressed sweet, finished fermentation in tank, before a mid-Autumn barreling. Ageing was sur lie in a combination of 25 percent new Hungarian oak barrels coopered by Nadalie, and 25 percent French oak barrels coopered by Boutes.
Tasting Notes: Our 2019 Bismark Malbec is black currant purple. Upon decanting this reticent youngster relaxes and finds its voice, offering blackberry pie, suede, warm rock, dark chocolate and Bing cherry. By mouth the blackberry and chocolate come to the fore, delivered with a plushness beyond reproach. (Tasted 5/24/22).
Variety
81% Malbec, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Cab Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Vineyard Location
Bismark Mountain blocks 26 Malbec, Cab blocks 3 & 6. Moon Mountain District Sonoma County
Age of Vines
14-27 years
Alcohol
14.8%
pH
3.82
Titratable Acidity (TA)
0.58 g/100 mL
Residual Sugar
0.01%
Avg. Brix at Harvest 29o
Length/Type of Aging
28 months in barrel on lees.
Oak Types
50% New French and Hungarian oak coopered by Boutes and Nadalie
Bottling Date
May 20, 2022
Number of Cases
199
Vegan