2021 À Bloc Malbec
À Bloc is a cycling term that means "to go all out, even beyond the point of recovery" (do not forget the diacritical mark above the À, it sounds like "ahhh"). It is also a metaphor for the winemaking at Isenhower Cellars. 92% Malbec from Champoux Vineyard and 8% Petit Verdot from Dionysus Vineyard.
The À Bloc is deeply purple with a red rim. Aromas leap from the glass and include blackberry bramble, marionberry, tea rose, forest undergrowth, cardamom, black pepper, and vanilla. The mouthfeel is tight with tart blackberry, green tea, dark cherry, marionberry, and minerals. Enjoy through 2035.
Fermentation: 100% hand-harvested and hand-sorted fruit. Destemmed and must-pumped to open top fermenters. Inoculated with a variety of organic yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Saccharomyces uvarum, and Pichia kluyveri). Punched down twice daily with three pump-overs. Pressed at dryness.
Élevage: 21 months in 17% new 300 liter French oak barrels (AnA Selection). Racked twice.
INGREDIENTS: Malbec & Petit Verdot grapes, yeast, organic yeast nutrients, tartaric acid, and minimally necessary sulfur dioxide.
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Varietal | Malbec |
| Varietal Composition | 92% Malbec, 8% Petit Verdot |
| Appellation | Horse Heaven Hills |
| Vineyard | Champoux Vineyard / Dionysus |
| Acid | 5.0 g/L |
| PH | 3.9 |
| Residual Sugar | <0.01 g/L |
| Alcohol | 14.40% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 08/11/2023 |
| Cases Produced | 201 |
Champoux Vineyard Malbec
Dionysis Vineyard Petit Verdot
