2015 Cloud's Nest Vineyard, Malbec
In Stock
Wine Specs
Vintage
2015
Varietal
Malbec
Appellation
Napa Valley
Harvest Date
September 18 - October 2, 2015
Acid
0.60 g/L
pH
3.86
Alcohol %
14.8
Wine Profile
Tasting Notes
“The 2015 Cloud’s Nest Malbec has opaque inky purple color. Explosive floral
aromatics, purple flowers, violets with notes of blueberry crisp, cedar, dried cherry
and ripe raspberry. The tannins are silky smooth. I’ve always referred to this variety
as the iron fist with a velvet glove wine in that the color is so intense, the aromatics
are so bold, you expect to be blown away by tannin, but they are so soft and
velvety. Finishes long, the tannins fade away with a creamy vanilla note.“
—Mario Monticelli
Vineyard Notes
High above the Napa Valley floor in the Mayacamas Mountains, our Cloud’s Nest
Vineyard embodies the greatness of the Mt. Veeder appellation. This high altitude
vineyard is incredibly steep with gravelly soil, and like all our vineyards, must be
patiently farmed by hand. It’s cool, eastern exposure allows for extended hang
time, which imbues the grapes with greater complexity and character.
Production Notes
Universally speaking, 2015 produced lower yields but excellent quality and
concentration. Due in part to the drought, but more so an extended period
of cool weather during the bloom period in May and June, our grape clusters
were on the lighter side and our berries stayed smaller with thicker skins. The
consistently warm summer led to slightly earlier-than-normal ripening on the
valley floor and high-stress conditions in our mountain vineyards. The resulting
wines are beautifully fruity and focused with terrific acidity.
Product Reviews