Ilaria, Malbec, Napa Valley, California, 2019

Overview of the Wine
Winemakers and proprietors Anna & Mario Monticelli have a long list of experience in the craft that includes working with estates in Bordeaux, Tuscany, and Napa. Anna was at Chateau Cheval-Blanc for the near perfect 2000 vintage. Mario worked harvests at Villa Antinori. After college, Mario became the assistant winemaker at Melka Wines, assisting Philippe Melka on some of the most celebrated wines in the Napa Valley, including Quintessa, Hundred Acre, Vineyard 29, Caldwell, and Lail Vineyards, to name a few. After four years under Philippe Melka’s tutelage, Mario took the position as head winemaker for Quixote Winery. Anna spent five years as the assistant winemaker for The Bryant Family before taking her position as winemaker at Pina crafting single vineyard Napa Valley Cabernets as well as her own Ilaria and Sergio wines.

FARMING: Sustainable

Grape / Blend
80% Malbec, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon

Origin
Napa Valley, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Seeing as Cabernet Sauvignon dominates Napa Valley’s vineyard acreage, it’s refreshing to see another grape getting a tiny share of representation. Even better: This Malbec from Anna Monticelli is a great wine at a great price point. The 2019 vintage shows darker fruits and a more dominant toasty oak influence compared to 2018’s overt fruitiness.  Dark and inky in color with blueberry, plum, vanilla and caramel notes, the wine has a lasting aftertaste and ripe tannins.

92 points Jeb Dunnuck (2018)
Made by the talented Anna Monticelli, the 2018 Malbec comes mostly from the cool Coombsville appellation, in the southern part of Napa Valley. It includes 15% Cabernet Sauvignon and was brought up in 60% new French oak. Beautiful blue fruits, violets, bouquet garni and peppered meat- like nuances emerge from the glass, and it’s medium to full-bodied, with a fresh, elegant texture, terrific tannins, and a great finish. I’d happily drink bottles any time over the coming decade.

91+ points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate (2018) 
A blend of 85% Malbec and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, the deep garnet-purple colored 2018 Malbec gives up exuberant notes of plum preserves, blueberry pie and Morello cherries with hints of Sichuan pepper, cardamom and cedar chest. Medium to full-bodied, the palate has lovely freshness cutting through the intense black fruit flavors, finishing with a plush texture and great harmony. 414 cases were made. 11/5/2020 

Product size: 750ml