Araciel - Malbec NV (750ml)

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Price: $39.99

3+ Price: $38.99 / btl

6+ Price: $36.99 / btl

12+ Price: $34.99 /btl

Producer	Araciel
Country	Argentina
Region	Uco Valley
Varietal	Malbec
Size	750ml

Araciel Description

RNDC

Two wines from opposite ends of the globe, yet sharing a common thread. Araciel, meaning 'Altar in the Sky,' symbolizes what both separates and unites these vineyards. Focused on hillside locations in the San Rafael Mountains of the Santa Maria Valley, California, and the eastern foothills of the Andes Range in Mendoza, Argentina, these two regions offer the ideal conditions for Albariño and Malbec. Both the Santa Maria Valley (Santa Barbara County) and Valle de Uco (Mendoza) benefit from abundant sunshine, temperate weather, and alluvial soil, allowing these varietals to be crafted into world-class wines. These cool-climate deserts provide extended hang time, enabling the Albariño to retain its bright acidity and vibrant minerality, while the Malbec achieves perfect ripeness, offering bold fruit flavors and velvety tannins. Both wines deliver a balanced, fruit-forward, and elegant expression. THE VINEYARD This Malbec is cultivated at an elevation of approximately 3,500 feet near Alto Agrelo, in Argentina's Valle de Uco region, Mendoza. The southern part of the valley is slightly cooler than the north, with dry conditions and abundant sunshine. Combined with gravelly loam and alluvial soils, this creates an ideal environment for growing this typically tannic and intense varietal. What sets this region apart is the enhanced physiological maturity of the Malbec grapes, which softens the tannins while leaving a rich array of phenolics. The result is a wine with a massive mouthfeel, an intensely dark color, and a perfect balance of natural acidity. WINEMAKER NOTES Our journey through the Mendoza region began in 2010, when we discovered the perfect site for Malbec on the western edge of the Uco Valley, near Alto Agrelo. After successful initial trials, we committed to local production. The area's long, dry growing season allows for extended hang-time, leading to high physiological maturity and transforming Malbec's typically harsh tannins into a rich, soft structure. Using cryo-extraction, we enhance color and phenolic concentration. Parting ways from tradition, we saw a way to bring more character and balance to this wine using the Solera method for aging. Our solera system contains Malbecs of different ages/vintages, going back to 2015. By blending the younger wines into “la madre” (the mother-blend), we are able to craft an all-encompassing style with consistent character and quality. This process continues vintage over vintage, with a hearty percentage of the previous blend held back every year to be added to with the new vintage and continuing on its aging cycle. Controlled fermentation, extended maceration, and aging in French and American oak barrels add depth and layers of vanilla, spice, and softness. The result is a balanced, rich textured wine with exceptional depth.

TASTING NOTES COLOR: AROMAS: PALATE: FOOD PAIRING Deep garnet. Abundant aromas of dried plum, blackberry, and leather followed by hints of thyme, sweet anise, and black pepper. Rich and complex with flavors of ripe dark fruits, chocolate cherry, thyme, and blackberry pie. This wine has a lingering fruit-forward finish with firm acidity and subtle tannins. Enjoy with a grilled steak with sautéed mushrooms, a spicy Cioppino, or a hamburger with blue cheese.

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