HillCrest Vineyard, Old Stones Malbec 2013, Umpqua Valley, Oregon

Tasting Note: A malbec with a supple texture and complementing assortment of black fruit at the ready.

Deep-intensity purple in color, this wine has an aromatic, medium-plus-intensity nose of black plum, blackberry, leather, boysenberry, rosehip and dried cherry.

On the palate the dry, medium-plus-bodied malbec has medium-plus-intensity, black-fruit flavors suggested on the nose supported by medium acidity and ripe, medium tannin ultimately completing with a medium-plus finish.

There are moments of velvetiness in the midpalate.

A versatile red wine that could complement both lighter and heavier dishes.

HillCrest Vineyard was established in 1961 and has the oldest producing grape vines in Oregon.

Growing season temperatures vary dramatically in the Umpqua Valley AVA which has greater diurnal swings than any other place in the U.S.

Located in Southern Oregon, the AVA hosts over 150 soil types.

HillCrest Vineyard malbec is fermented in concrete tanks just like many malbecs produced in Mendoza, Argentina.

According to HillCrest Vineyard winemaker, Dyson Demara, “Good wines taste like a grape. Great wines taste like a place.”

This wine was submitted for review.