Longboard Vineyards Sonoma County Mystos Malbec 2017
When I bought nine acres of the vineyard from Mondavi/Arrowood in 2005, I began growing Malbec. Three-quarters of an acre came bundled in the middle of the Merlot Vineyard I purchased. Over the next 8 years, I always harvested the Malbec grapes together with the Merlot and cofermented them as part of my estate Merlot (Dakine Vineyard). Because of logistical issues in 2011, I had to ferment the Malbec separately and blend it with the Merlot right after harvest. This gave me a glimpse of the great potential of the variety on this site. I bottled 50 cases of the Mystsos Malbec in 2011, and we all liked it so much (they vanished in three weeks) that I decided to always keep some aside for those who like this style of wine.
The lushness of the mid-palate: a concentrated blueberry with a velvety texture is what makes this wine stand out in the glass. While the tannins are soft, they are quite lengthy and integrate well with the French oak character from the barrels. The combination of Malbec from my vineyard in the Russian River Valley and from the Webber Vineyard in Chalk-Hill I Alexander Valley brings together a kaleidoscope of influences that dance in the glass and spring out to interact with one's palate.
This wine, named after my favorite secret surf spot, will age well for 12 years or more and is a great companion for not only the obvious meat dishes but also for seafood-based stews and even grilled fish or octopus when the preparation has an earthy component.
Cheers,
Oded Shakked
Owner & Winemaker of Longboard Vineyards
Site Story: A combination of fruit from our estate Dakine Vineyard and the Webber ranch.
Composition: 100% Malbec
Appellation: Russian River Valley
Fermentation: 4 Day cold-soak, open-top fermentation with CSM yeast
Aging: 12 months on fine lees in French Oak barrels, 20% new then racked and aged additional 9 months. Bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Alcohol: 14.5 %
TA: 6.05g/L
pH: 3.78
Production: 156 Cases
Established in 1998, Longboard Vineyards is fueled by the passion winemaker Oded Shakked has had since he first came to northern Sonoma in the late 1980s. Longboard is full of classic varieties that are grown to express local character, all wrapped in our relaxed Sonoma-style warm hospitality. Warm, confident, independent, refined but down-to-earth; Oded's personality is reflected in every wine he makes.
