Sandhill Small Lot Malbec 2021 VQA

WINEMAKING
Our Malbec is grown at Osprey Ridge Vineyard where the vigour is limited by the growing conditions and the fruit is cropped to a very low yield to achieve maximum expression of flavours and ripeness. The fruit was hand-picked on October 23rd and gently crushed into small open top fermenters. After cold soaking for two days, we fermented on the skins for 12 days, punching down the cap 2-3 times per day. After primary fermentation, the wine was drained and put into French oak barrels where it underwent malolactic fermentation and then aged for another 22 months before bottling.

FLAVOUR PROFILE
Bright garnet colour with a lovely, aromatic bouquet of red plum, violet, smoky oak, spice box, and red licorice. This medium-bodied wine has smooth, silky tannins, food friendly acidity, and bright fruit-forward flavours. On the palate, look for juicy red and black fruit flavours, along with hints of sweet spice. The lingering finish shows notes of red and black berries, and sweet spice.

Food Suggestions
A wonderful wine for cool evening sipping. Pairs well with grilled steaks with a chimichurri sauce; Tuscan steak on bed of arugula; rich meat pies; Tourtiere with tangy, but not sweet, chili sauce; beef bourguignon; chorizo and black bean empanadas; peppercorn steaks; Shepherd’s pie; Irish stew; lightly spiced turkey black bean chili; roasted beets; black bean hummus.