An utterly different expression of the "Malbec" grape. Purchased at Terroir Wine Bar in SF and drunk from a decanted at my friends' Donna and Joe's with a Tri Tip and risotto.
This wine definitely has the hipster French organic/natural/low sulfur profile, with upfront acidity and a particular high toned red fruit/acid/astringent (in a good way), lively effervescent character. In agreeing with Rahsaan. I could tell this comes from the same "school" of wine making as the pink Gamay I had the other night. Being cot/Malbec, this wine was somewhat different, of course. There was a nice dark fruit character-not roasted in a bad/over-ripe or stewed way, just very dark blackberry. No blueberry like a get from some Argentine or Napa Malbecs. I really enjoyed this wine's round and full mouthfeel-it's interesting to see a wine have plentiful acidity yet a plush overall character. It also had a lengthy finish with a fuzzy, savory character that I enjoyed. Definietley an enjoyable wine, with my only caveat being the one brought up by Rahsaan-the school/style does seem to lessen the grape typicite or terroir a bit????
Other, quicker notes:
Heitz released their Sauvignon Blanc today. I know they are a red wine house, but this was a lovely crisp, grassy style, yet with some great fruit. We also compared the 1998 Trailside and Bella Vista bottl;ings. The latter definitely had more green pepper character. The Trailside was captivating again. The 2005 Petit Verdot was luscious as well.
Elizabeth Spencer-The 2002 Cabernet was showing nicely tonight. What blew me away was the 2005 E-S Sonoma Coast Syrah, their pricier "reserve" label. Wonderful roasted meat, black pepper, and blackberry fruit. I kept dsrinking this, as my bicycle ride was finished and the bike loaded on my friend's car! Outstanding. I also liked their fully oaked, full malolactic Chardonnay. Not a style I normally care for, but the fruit was so pure and delicious, and the oak was not heavy or obnoxious in any way. Lovely wines.
2004 Sequoia Grove Syrah (Stagecoach Vineyard) vs 2005. New release. The 2004 still shows the lovely savory character that is not common in Napa. The 2005 showed a surprising wallop of tannins-is this wine an ager? Not the savory character, more black pepper and anise. Despite the tannins, very smooth.