Geyser Peak Winemakers Reserve Malbec 1999
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Malbec grapes for this wine come the Trione vineyards, Nervo Ranch in the Alexander Valley. A portion of the wine was used in the 1999 Reserve Alexandre Meritage blend with the balance being used for this Winemaker's Selection wine. A six-day on-skin ferment resulted in a wine with rich color and fruit without excessive tannic extraction. After fermentation, the wine was matured in small French oak barrels.
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Founded in 1880 as California’s 29th bonded winery, Geyser Peak Winery has more than 135 years of winemaking history in Sonoma County. Originally located perched on a hillside across from Geyser Peak Mountain, its namesake, it commanded a view of the thermal steam clouds that billowed from the mountain summit. Here, in this special place, geothermal activity created the diverse soil pro?les that make this region so exceptionally well suited to wine grape cultivation.
At the forefront of production since its earliest days, Geyser Peak wines are sourced from prime vineyards that capture the essence of Sonoma. Today, located in Dry Creek Valley, Geyser Peak’s winemakers are carrying the winery’s rich history forward and staking an exciting claim on the future. Specializing in aromatic whites and rich reds, wines are crafted in small lots and fermented separately, then blended together to achieve full expression, balance and character. Each wine captures the essence of Sonoma and the appellation’s unique terroir, offering sophistication and ease, elevation and approachability, and taking us from casual days to connoisseur nights.
Undoubtedly proving its merit over and over, Napa Valley is a now a leading force in the world of prestigious red wine regions. Though Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley, other red varieties certainly thrive here. Important but often overlooked include Merlot and other Bordeaux varieties well-regarded on their own as well as for their blending capacities. Very old vine Zinfandel represents an important historical stronghold for the region and Pinot noir is produced in the cooler southern parts, close to the San Pablo Bay.
Perfectly situated running north to south, the valley acts as a corridor, pulling cool, moist air up from the San Pablo Bay in the evenings during the hot days of the growing season, which leads to even and slow grape ripening. Furthermore the valley claims over 100 soil variations including layers of volcanic, gravel, sand and silt—a combination excellent for world-class red wine production.