Our premier release of the 2015 Malbec/Tempranillo

Greetings to all, It’s the beginning of 2018 and as I write this we are winding down things in the winery and getting ready to start pruning for the 2018 vintage. Hard to believe we have been here almost 15 years as it seems like just yesterday the kids were riding bikes up and down the driveway and I was trying to get ready for our first vintage. We are excited to release another first for HillCrest the 2015 Malbec/Tempranillo from our estate. I first had the opportunity to taste a blend of these 2 while working for Mondavi in Argentina. The wine was so beautifully fruit driven yet with a dark almost leathery fruit. This blend has lurked in the back of my mind, along with another that you will taste one day, since that visit to a small producer in the Tupangato area of Mendoza.

Malbec has roots all over France and at one time was grown in 30 districts of France. It is said that there are over 1,000, yes thousand, synonyms for it in France. Best known in the SW wine region of Cahors, this broodingly dark variety was famous for its dark color and deep, almost mulberry type fruit. Over the last 50 years it has fallen out of favor in many areas of France because of its sensitivity to many diseases. As a little sideline, it is Malbec that made Bordeaux’s wines famous and it was the dominant variety on both sides of the Gironde until the end of the 19 Century.

Tempranillo is another sort of grape that is really best known for its texture. These 2 grapes are almost a peanut butter and chocolate kind of strange combination that works incredibly well. Where Malbec in Southern Oregon tends to carry its dark color and bright and fresh black fruit, the Tempranillo lends a richness of mouthfeel and length. The 2 are really magic together.

Our 2015 Malbec/Temp blend was co-fermented in our patented concrete fermentors and then aged in European oak for almost 2 years. This wine tastes great today, but should be a great ager. 200 Cases produced and I would suggest you use a Cabernet or Bordeaux styled glass.

Cheers and Happy New Year!