MALBEC 2020

February 2024 Red Wine of the Month
A traditional Bordeaux varietal, Malbec is now the most widely planted red wine grape in Argentina. It is also a popular grape in Chile and has just recently begun to develop into a successful varietal in California and Washington. The 2020 vintage Malbec grapes were sourced from Kamiak Vineyards in the Columbia Valley of Washington. Kamiak Vineyard has a unique volcanic soil breakdown that includes basalt, sandy loam, clay loam, and gravelly loam.

The vineyard is south-facing and is perched 620 feet above sea-level along the Snake River. The vineyard has excellent air drainage and benefits from the river’s moderating influence. Temperatures during the growing season can fluctuate from 95 degrees Fahrenheit the day to 55 degrees Fahrenheit at night, enabling the grapes to develop high acids and high sugar levels.

After fermentation, Lynfred winemaker Rodrigo Gonzalez aged the 2020 Malbec for 24 months in American oak. This medium-bodied wine has lovely aromas and flavors of violets, blackberries, herbs, and chocolate, with a smooth finish with ripe tannins.

Blend: 95% Malbec, 5% Petite Sirah
Grower/Vineyard: Kamiak Vineyards, Columbia Valley, Washington

Winemaker’s Tasting Notes
Color: deep garnet
Aroma: violet, blackberry, tobacco, vanilla, herbs
Palate: blackberry, plum, caramel, dark chocolate
Body: medium
Finish: floral, smooth, ripe tannins
Foods: beef brisket, rotisserie chicken, grilled steak with rosemary, roasted red peppers or eggplant, Cajun spices, BBQ sauce, stuffed jalapenos
Cheeses: Blue, Cheddar, Manchego, Asiago