Winemaker Notes
The 2016 Lieu Dit Malbec comes from the Happy Canyon Vineyard in the Santa Ynez Valley. It is fermented retaining 100% of its whole cluster. After being pressed the wine is transferred to 5+ year old, neutral barrels for the winter. No fining or filtration is used. Flavors of black fruits and tobacco are carried by a strong acid backbone making this a perfect pairing for braised leg of lamb or a beef stew.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2016 Malbec was made in a similar fashion to the Cabernet Franc this year, using semi-carbonic fermentation with little to no extraction in an attempt "to keep the wine as juicy and fresh as possible," Lieu Dit co-founder Justin Willett says. It has a deep ruby-purple color and tart red cherry, stewed rhubarb, warm black cherries and blackberry sparks with herbal tinges, touches of chocolate box and blueberry notes. Full-bodied, it gives up a great core of intense, lush, chocolaty blue and black fruits with a chewy frame and juicy lift, finishing long. Yum!
Celebrated for its bold flavors and supple texture, Malbec has enjoyed runaway success in Argentina since the late 20th century. The grape originated in Bordeaux, France, where it historically contributed color and tannin to blends. A French agronomist, who saw great potential for the variety in Mendoza’s hot, high-altitude landscape, brought Malbec to Argentina in 1868. Somm Secret—If you’re trying to please a crowd, Malbec is generally a safe bet with its combination of dense fruit and soft tannins.
Ranging from cool and foggy in the west to warm and dry in the east, the Santa Ynez Valley is a climatically diverse growing area. The most expansive AVA within the larger Santa Barbara County region, Santa Ynez is also home to a wide variety of soil types and geographical features. The appellation is further divided into four distinct sub-AVAs—Sta. Rita Hills, Ballard Canyon, Los Olivos District and Happy Canyon—each with its own defining characteristics.
A wide selection of grapes is planted here—more than sixty different varieties, and counting. Chardonnay and Pinot Noir dominate in the chilly west, while Zinfandel, Rhône blends, and Bordeaux blends rule the arid east. Syrah is successful at both ends of the valley, with a lean and peppery, Old-World sensibility closer to the coast and lush berry fruit further inland.