2017 Foley Johnson Handmade Malbec, Rutherford
This wine presents aromas of anise and papaya with soft hints of juniper. The mouthfeel is luscious with flavors of strawberry and baking spices, the acid pushes the palate to the front giving it a smooth, juicy sensation while the oak tones round out the palette and give it a long finish.
Winemaker Notes
The 2017 vintage started out with a wet spring that extended flowering and stimulated vigorous vines. We had a mild summer with the promise of a beautiful harvest. Then in early fall the first heat wave kicked harvest into full gear, ripening everything almost at once. This allowed the fruit to develop deeper more jamie concentrated flavors along with low yields. Right behind this heat wave came the wild fires, luckily we had already brought in 99% of our fruit crop!
Composition
100% Malbec
Wine Specs
Vintage
2017
Varietal
Malbec
Appellation
Rutherford
Harvest Date
September 1 - October 10, 2017
Acid
6.0 g/L
pH
3.6
Aging
18 months in 40% new French and American oak
Bottling Date
June 21, 2019
Alcohol %
14.8
Production Notes
The wine went through 100% malolactic fermentation and aged for 18 months in 40% new French Oak and American Oak before going into bottle on June 21, 2019.
Vineyard Notes
In the heart of the Foley Johnson Rutherford Estate, our Malbec is farmed in the famous “Rutherford Dust” that yields small, yet intense clusters from well-balanced vines. The ideal growing conditions in the vineyard allow our Bordeaux varietals to reach full maturity on the vine without taking on the green, leafy taste of under-ripe fruit. The grapes were picked from Block 20 and harvested between September 1 - October 10, 2017, under clear skies.
Production
205 Cases