Little
known, the Livermore Valley wine region is actually one of the oldest in
California, with commercial plantings first starting in the 1840s, well before
the Sierra Foothills and Napa. One of the grapes they have been successful with
has been Malbec, an odd-ball grape, even by today’s
standards. Malbec is often planted to blend into other wines, occasionally used
as a stand-alone wine, but typically sold only at winery tasting rooms. With
the exception of Argentinean Malbec, U.S. Malbec is not a successful category.
Which is why it’s impressive that Cuda Ridge has made a commitment to produce
Malbec.
This wine
offers touches of plum, cranberry, raspberry, black cherry, with vanilla, cedar
and herbal notes, a slight cola note, and a spicy pepper note accentuating the
back palate. The result is a rather sensual and pleasing wine. Aged a
staggering 32 months in American oak barrels (both used and neutral, not new),
a mere 49 cases were made. Though on the pricy side (given its extensive barrel
aging) it nonetheless offers a unique and intriguing drinking experience.
ORIGIN: Livermore Valley, California
PRICE: $55/ 750ML
ALCOHOL: 13.7%
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