The 2020 Malk Family Vineyards’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautifully extracted Stags Leap offering, an example of both the vineyard and the appellation. There are the noted characteristics of the Griffin vineyard: dark blackberry, chocolate-cherry, star anise, nutmeg spice, and rich cassis aromas; and this 2020 has a particularly wonderful concentration…not in terms of structure, but in terms of weight and palate presence. Of course, the wine is cellar-worthy, but we are enjoying this wine now. It’s perfect for the next cold night and hearty meal.
The 2021 Malk Family Staffordshire Reserve is a wonderfully concentrated blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot. Aromatically intense expressions of blackberry, black cherry, and cassis are complimented with nuances of graphite, all-spice, and graham cracker. The palate is full of texture and weight; luscious, but maintains a sophisticated structural framework. This wine is enjoyable in its youth, but is certainly cellar worthy.
The 2021 represents the more feminine nature of the vintage. It is bright and silky smooth on the entry and offers a simply delicious mouthfeel. It presents everything that the Estate has; black cherry, fresh earth, black tea, hints of vanilla bean but adds another layer of gorgeous fruit with added violet floral notes and even a hint of clove spice and certainly forest floor. Truly an elegant wine that exhibits some concentration without compromising balance and finesse.
With lavish notes of white peach, spring flowers and Asian pear our 2021 Russian River Chardonnay delivers plenty of fresh fruit on the palate. There is light sweet spice baked apple with lightly honeyed orange rind interwoven with its silky elegant finish. The mouthfeel maintains a surprising weight and concentration on the mid-palate.
The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc captures springtime in a glass. On the nose, you’ll find delicate wildflowers, citrus blossom and freshly cut grass. A distinctive limestone minerality has become a signature part of our Sauvignon Blanc, and is highlighted with these beautiful spring aromas along with a little clovespice element. As we employ fermenting in neutral oak barrels, there is a warmth, texture and noticeable body to the pallet due to the lees contact that provides a perfect balance to the wine.
The 2022 Rosé, made from the same Fort/Ross Seaview fruit as our Pinot Noir is certainly not your typical off-the-shelf Rosé! On the nose, a complex bouquet of dried apricot, honeysuckle, watermelon and ruby grapefruit. Those aromas carry through to the palate which strikes a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. A perfect wine to enjoy with fish or a fresh salad, or simply sip by the pool!
