2006 Malbec Red Hills Lake County Amber Knolls Vineyard

Clear Lake, the largest fresh-water lake within California, creates a specialized “lake effect” by mitigating temperature extremes. The Red Hills district is situated at the foot of the dormant volcano Mount Konocti and entirely within Lake County’s Clear Lake AVA. The region is warmer and less foggy during the growing season than either Sonoma or Napa because those neighboring counties lie closer to the coast. Lake County also has the cleanest air in the state, and the unrestricted sunlight maximizes vine potential. Grapes were harvested from Amber Knolls Vineyard where the textbook conditions of 2,200-foot elevations, signature red volcanic soils, and a warm dry climate were matched with Malbec Clone 4 on 110R rootstock in 2001. This 19-acre “all star” planting produces small early-maturing vines that transform stress resulting from minimal irrigation into small berries and loose clusters with favorable high skin-to-juice ratios and advanced flavor development. Grapes were contracted by-the-acre versus by-the-ton, allowing Winemaker George Troquato the option of cluster-thinning to two tons per acre from the projected five for a full expression of fruit.

Tasting Notes

Pitch black in color, this wine has fragrances of blackberry, black cherry, black tea and smoke make brilliant first impressions in conjunction with mouth-coating flavors of plush dark fruit, vanilla, toasted oak and coriander. These qualities are supported by dusty tannins, a soft mouthfeel, and a smooth texture. The expressions finish long and expansive with dark fruit, mocha and sweet French oak.

Winemaking

• Hand harvested October 4, 2006 into small bins
• Five days of cold soaking to enhance the color and aromatics
• Eleven days of fermentation in an open-top bin
• The must was punched down three times daily for maximum flavor extraction
• Aged for 30 months in small French oak barrels (100% new)
• Bottled unfiltered to enhance

Vineyards

Amber Knolls Vineyard
Red Hills Lake County AVA

Technical Data

Varietal Content

100% Malbec

Finished Alcohol

14.9%

Total Acidity

0.59mg per 100ml
pH: 3.72

Release Date

November 2009

Downloads

2006 Malbec Red Hills Lake County Amber Knolls Vineyard Product Sheet
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