Beverage of the Week (BOW)

2Hawk Malbec Rogue Valley 2017

Product Story

2Hawk shows us what New World Malbec can be. It's balanced, nuanced, with loads of earth and spice acting as the perfect companion to the dense black fruits. This is 2Hawk's first estate Malbec and it's a strong statement. If your only experience with Malbec is a dense, fruit-bomb that is more redolent of Port than Cahors try this wine! In the Rogue Valley the growing season followed a record snowfall from the winter before. A rather normal spring flowed into a warm summer through mid-July. In August cool temperatures returned allowing the fruit to develop and ripen slowly. Fall continued the cool trend and harvest began on September 8 with the last of the fruit coming in on November 2. This wine was rested in French oak — 13% new, 57% two-years old, and 30% neutral — for a period of 17 months. A real beauty.

Brand Story

2Hawk is an exciting and dynamic wine producer in Oregon's Rogue Valley. The project is piloted by owners Ross and Jen Allen with winemaker Kiley Evans. Ross is a third generation farmer from Fresno County, California with over 30 years in agriculture. Ross manages 2Hawk's 24-plus acres of vines on the estate ranch. Kiley brings over 15 years of winemaking experience to the team. We find that a winemaker's wines are their strongest message and Kiley surely has a great talent and a symbiotic relationship with the fruit he utilizes. 2Hawk produces a wide range of wines. Their estate vineyard 2Hawk grows primarily Malbec, Tempranillo, Grenache, Sauvignon Blanc, Viognier, and Chardonnay with smaller amounts of Pinot Noir, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah, and Petit Verdot. We look forward to seeing and tasting the product of the passionate labors in vintages to come.

Tasting Note

Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense offering scents of blackberry and raspberry with supporting notes of black tea, graphite, cocoa, slate, and cigar box. The palate confirms the nose delivering a black fruit-driven core with flavors of black cherry, plum, hibiscus flower, and black pepper. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins and subtle oak accents. Full-bodied and ideally balanced with a meaty texture.

How to Serve

Please decant this wine so it can show you all of its nuances. Serve with roasted duck, any rich braise with mushrooms, or wild boar.

Price: $ 34

BevX Review: http://bevx.com/wine-detail/?id=4020