2008 River Bench Malbec, Alexander Valley
Geyser Peak Block Collection wines are an expression of the unique growing conditions that exist within a handful of vineyards that consistently produce outstanding wines. Each Block Wine reflects the distinct signature of a varietal ideally suited to an exceptional site.
| Vintage: | 2008 |
| Wine Type: | Red Wine |
| Varietal: | Malbec |
| Appellation: | Alexander Valley |
| Aging: | 18 months |
| Bottling Date: | August 2010 |
| Alcohol %: | 13.7 |
The 2008 vintage produced grapes with remarkable color intensity and this wine displays a bluish-purple hue in the glass. Malbec is an exotic varietal that shows fig, violet, and bittersweet chocolate on the nose and a potent mix of blueberry compote and pomegranate fruit tinged with spicy licorice on the palate. The fruit, oak, and tannins combine to form a layered wine with exceptional depth of flavor and a driven finish. Further bottle maturation will result in additional marrying of the components.
Shy-bearing Malbec vines produce elegantly concentrated fruit in the moderate climate and rich soils of the Alexander Valley. Our warm afternoons lead to early flavor development and ripening allowing us to harvest in September while the flesh of the fruit is firm and color and flavor are easily extracted. This wine was fermented in one of our traditional small capacity open top fermentation tanks.
A combination of hand punch-downs and traditional pump-overs during vintage produced a wine of substantial structure. The wine was aged for 18 months in 100% French oak barrels to provide structure and context to this Bordelaise varietal. Malbec is delightful as a multilayered sipping wine, served with braised or roasted meats and vegetables or as an accompaniment to fine cheeses.
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