2018 Ilaria Malbec Napa Valley

The 2018 Ilaria Malbec has a gorgeous core of juicy ripe blueberries, blackberries, black currants and raspberries. There are intricate layers of earthy minerality, white pepper, roasted herbs, dark chocolate and toasted French oak that playfully dance around the core of luscious dark briary fruits. The round mouthfeel fills out the palate with soft tannins and delivers a long-lasting finish. 85% Malbec 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. 85% Coombsville, 15% Atlas Peak. 100% French oak, 60% new oak. 14.9%. 414 cases produced.

Vineyard Sources:Dr. Reid (Coombsville)Simpkins (Coombsville) Arcano (Atlas Peak Foothills)
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. He currently is the winemaker for Trinchero Napa Valley.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.