Soldiers Block Malbec

3430560007008

Great with rich and hearty food. Try me with a rich casserole or roasted Mediterranean vegetables.

A bright, aromatic Malbec with an abundance of crisp, minerally fruit and Morello cherry compote.

All the Malbec fruit comes from an estate in the Swan Hill region where there are approximately 12.5 acres which produces almost 200,000 lbs. of fruit per vintage. The Malbec vines are on their own roots and were planted in 2000. With the age of the vines and the harsh growing conditions, the vines are less vigorous, which leads to a more intense color and flavor. The vines are trained on a two wire vertical trellis, drip irrigated and with minimum fertilization. All the vines are machine harvested at night between mid to late March and grown on red sandy loam soil with limestone clay base. Climate is Mediterranean with summer temperatures between 86o to 96oF. The total vineyard area is about 1250 acres in size. Once the grapes have been crushed, pressed and sent to the fermenter, the winery then pumps over four times a day. Vinification takes place in stainless steel tanks at 77 degrees F for three weeks. Malolactic fermentation takes place over four weeks. 50% of the blend is aged in French and American oak barriques for three months.