Retail Savings $14.99 $30.00 50% Get GROUND SHIPPING when you purchase 6 or more. 2013 C'est Bon Cuvée 3 Malbecproduct-timed-pdf - Sonoma Valley *Winemaker, Randall Watkins - Durell's ?Viticulturalist | Founders' Release Why We're Drinking It "Malbec is now a seriously thrilling rising star in the red wine firmament," writes wine critic extraordinaire Oz Clarke. A sentiment echoed by the Wine Enthusiast, which notes, “Nowadays, the hottest wine in this country is Argentinean Malbec. Dense and dark, with full-bodied richness that few other grapes … can mimic, Argentine Malbec is about seven years into a golden run during which exports to the United States have grown exponentially year after year.” What happens when the current golden child of the wine world sets roots in the Sonoma Valley? Pure oenological magic, that’s what! Vinified by superstar Randall Watkins before final blending by invino’s Founder and CEO, Tony Westfall, this 2013 Malbec is a dark and brooding red lifted aromatically by chocolate and cinnamon spice and teeming with juicy stone fruit and brambly berry. A touch of Sonoma Merlot was added to the final blend for a softer, easier style of Malbec compared to many of its rustic Argentine cousins, though fans of South American Malbec and California Cab will find this one as lovely as it is familiar. While Malbec enjoys its time in the spotlight, the grape is still a relative rarity among the vineyards of Sonoma Valley. We’ve tracked down what may very well be the best fruit there is for our inaugural Malbec and thrown in Free Shipping on 6+ bottles to further sweeten this smooth and enticing deal. Reasons why we love it: Our insider relationship to growers and vintners put us in a prime position to take advantage of all that Sonoma County offers. In the case of this particular wine—our inaugural Malbec, made from 100% Sonoma County fruit—that means hiring winemaker Randall Watkins (winner of Sonoma County’s Winemaker of the Year) and in the vineyard working with Ned Hill (of Parmalee Hill and Durell Vineyards fame). Both are personal friends of ours, and both share our love for and fascination with the finest of local wines. Malbec is a hearty red grape of French origin, originally called the “black wine of Cahors” and known in that region as Cot. Malbec is also one of the five Bordeaux varieties along with Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Its inclusion in some of Bordeaux’s most coveted wines contributes heft, spice and tannin to the final blend. Winemaker Randall Watkins was born and raised in Sonoma County. He earned a Master’s degree in oenology from UC Davis and—while still at the beginning of his career—has earned numerous awards while working for Buena Vista, S. Anderson Vineyards, Carmen Vineyards (in Chile) and Carmenet Winery and Moon Mountain. Currently, he keeps busy at his own Watkins Family Winery label as well as consulting for Laurel Glen and a number of boutique, up-and-coming estates. Tasting Notes VARIETAL This malbec is exceptionally smooth with great complexity and nice round Malbec fruit flavors. We blend in a small percentage merlot from sonoma valley, so APPELLATION that we can take an edge off the malbec tannins. We think of this wine as Sonoma Valley, California France and Argentina meet someplace in the middle giving the best of both ALCOHOL worlds. 14.10 SIZE 750ml Our Panel (and the Westfalls, too) enjoy this one with everything from a BLEND backyard barbeque of burgers to a more formal sit-down affair featuring Malbec, Merlot mushroom risotto. PRODUCTION 100 cases The Story to Know From the Winery: No matter the industry, it’s always helpful to have friends in high places. When we launched invino we knew we were in a key position to bring stellar wines to Members at equally remarkable price points, in part because of our longstanding connections in Wine Country. Same goes for invino’s own negociant label: C’est Bon. Our relationships to growers and vintners put us in a prime position to take advantage of all that Sonoma County offers. In the case of this particular wine—our inaugural Malbec, made from 100% Sonoma County fruit—that means hiring winemaker Randall Watkins (winner of Sonoma County’s Winemaker of the Year) and in the vineyard working with Ned Hill (of Parmalee Hill and Durell Vineyards fame). Both are personal friends of ours, and both share our love for and fascination with the finest of local wines. Perfect Pairings This malbec is divine with savory dishes, especially earthy stews, and moderately spicy or even hot spicy dishes. Look for spices that have earthy or smoky flavors such as: Parsley, Sumac, Thyme, Rosemary, Porcini Powder, Smoked Paprika, Black Pepper, Cumin, Coriander, Juniper Berry, Clove, Vanilla Bean, Garlic, Shallot, Green Onion, Barbecue Sauce Ratings 93 Insider Points Reviews The newest addition to the C’est Bon family of wines, this fun and food friendly Malbec out of Sonoma Valley is loaded with ripe red cherry, plum compote, pipe tobacco and a subtle oak influence. All the fruit is grown within a few miles of invino by friends of the company, and the classic warmth of Sonoma valley fruit is fully expressed. This is the perfect BBQ wine, and with the softening influence of Merlot, can be equally enjoyed on its own. Cassis, ripe raspberry and vanilla round out the palate, with a vibrant acidity and firm tannin on the finish. A very well made wine with a solid structure that will age nicely for years to come. Enjoy now through 2020. - DZ Mar, 2015.