Throwing a curveball into the discussion to conclude big money week here on the blag. But for full disclosure: I did not purchase this bottle. In fact, I do not even own this bottle. I enjoyed a glass at a friend's place after they went to Napa to do something with truffles. It was a bit of a headscratcher as to why they were doing this, especially since California was in the midst of a relentless stream of torrential downpours. Anyways, I wasn't even aware of this vineyard, nor the fact that they made a Malbec. I clicked on their website and the first thing I was assaulted with was an image of Gen Z folk living in a rental van somehow able to afford drinking these $90-$130 wines out in the middle of the desert, as if it was like...Barefoot or Bogle. It's a peculiar marketing scheme, as most folks that age I have interacted with can barely afford to pay their phone bill, but I guess maybe they made their money on bitcoin and cashed out? Who knows. Either way it's a very modern design and I am sure they paid good money for it.
Also, and I swear this is the last bit before we review the wine, they have a whole section on their site called "Malbec & Meat" where you can purchase a flight of three vintages and some killer looking steaks for about $300. That's not a bad price at all. Based on bottle prices, that's throwing the meat in for free.
Okay, on with the show here. Unlike pictures of good-looking people and steaks, I can't find much technical information anywhere on the site. So regrettably I cannot divulge any of the "need to know" inside baseball stats for the moment. However, as my host poured, I made a prediction that the results will probably align with other USA Malbecs I've had in the past.
Nose: Surprising to no one, I was wrong. Surprising to me, there's a big blast of blueberry with quite a bit of blackberry and mild vanilla. This is quite in line with something from deep in the heart of Mendoza as opposed to the West Coast. Garden herb notes emerge on the next couple of sniffs, but the blueberry stays on top for quite some time before receding.
Palate: Arrives as advertised on the nose, but the notes of spice (pepper, rosemary, clove, cinnamon) take charge and surprisingly there's minimal oak, which usually accompanies something this earthy. With time, the dark fruit regains ground and establishes balance. Decent acidity and soft tannins frame everything quite nicely.
Finish: Long. Blackberry and blueberry keep going after the herbs and vanilla peak and continue on to the end.
It is nowhere near what I imagined this would be, and it's all the better for it. Certainly one of the more engaging stateside Malbecs I've had in quite a bit of time.
$95
Mt. Brave