Isabela Malbec
GRAPE
100% Malbec
VINTAGE
2019
HARVEST PERIOD
Beginning April
ORIGIN
Patagonia, Argentina.
AGE OF VINES
15 years
550 feet above sea level
LATITUDE
39.2º South
ALTITUDE OF VINEYARD
SOIL
Semi-desert, gray alluvial, with colluvial-alluvial sediments, limestone with good permeability and drainage, low organic matter and poor fertility.
CLIMATE
Temperate continental. Linear Oasis which runs through the arid Patagonian steppe, where the average annual rainfall is around 200 mm. Maximum temperature is 34ºC and minimum is 13.2ºC, with a great temperature range. Windy, with an average wind velocity of 6 mph and an average annual humidity of 56%.
HARVEST METHOD
Hand picking in 18 Kg conical baskets early morning.
SUGAR CONTENT AT HARVEST
24 brix
VINTAGE CONDITIONS
Optimal conditions with low precipitation in winter assured dormancy during vegetative recess. A dry summer with medium temperatures and broad temperature range (mean 25.5ºC), assured a balanced sugar content and even ripening, thus obtaining both sugar and phenolic maturity. A slightly early harvest helped maintain fresh character as fall had normal temperatures. Tannins in seeds and skins are soft and delicate.
GRAPE SELECTION
The grapes are hand-sorted, on a double-sided vibrating selection table, and introduced to the winery with screw pumps through a chilled tubular interchanger.
MACERATION
Cold maceration at 8ºC for 7 days and maceration with grape skins during alcoholic fermentation for 15 days at an average temperature of 25ºC to 27ºC.
AGING
10 months in French and Central European oak barrels and stainless steel and then 6 months in the bottle prior to release.
RECOMMENDED CELLARING
Drink now or age up to 7 years
TASTING NOTES
Expressive and vibrant in the nose with dark fruit, orange peel, violet along with chocolate, and coffee notes. The wine is full bodied yet fresh, mineral and juicy.
PAIRING NOTES
Steak, lamb, chicken, duck, pastas and anything grilled