2023 Estate Malbec

• Varieties:
  100% Malbec
• Appellation:
  Paso Robles - Templeton Gap District
• Average brix at harvest:
  25.2
• Vineyard:
  Estate
• Alcohol:
  13.8%
• Acidity:
  0.67g/100ml
• pH:
  3.45
• Residual sugar:
  0.01g/100ml
• Date bottled:
  April 29, 2025
• Cases produced:
  238

Growing conditions:
FINALLY! MOTHER NATURE ENDED THE DROUGHT WITH 200% OF NORMAL RAINFALL. COMBINED WITH A COOL SPRING AND WARM (NOT HOT) SUMMER LED TO THE LATEST HARVEST EVER AT VICTOR HUGO! JUDICIOUS THINNING ALLOWED GRAPES TO HARVESTED AT OPTIMUM MATURITY PRODUCING BEAUTIFUL WINES.

Winemaking:
The grapes were hand harvested, then crushed into a stainless steel fermentor. 24 hours later, the must was inoculated with D-80 yeast then pumped over twice daily for 12 days prior to pressing. After completion of malo-lactic fermentation, this Malbec was aged for 22 months in French and Hungarian oak prior to bottling.

Tasting notes:
Hints of red berries, wild sage and ripe plum are intertwined with subtle oak notes. Flavors are balanced and rich with layers of pleasantly assertive tannins overlaid with hints of oak. The finish is rich and lush which enables additional aging.

Cellaring:
While enjoyable currently, this intense red wine will continue to improve with proper cellaring for another 3-5 years in the bottle with a plateau of best drinkability from 2028-2033.

Food selection:
This rich, layered wine will enhance rosemary-infused lamb loin or hard cheeses as well as many Italian dishes with rich sauces.