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2012 Blueline Estate Malbec
We invite you to join our Mailing List to learn more about acquiring these limited-production wines.
Current Vintage Overview
As Tony Biagi’s debut vintage, 2012 brought an evolution to the depth, complexity and textural richness that Bob Foley achieved in our wines over the past 15 years. The growing year was ideal, similar to 2001, one of our favorite vintages. A long growing season with many low to mid 80-degree days and cool evenings, allowed for slow phenolic maturation and great color development with good acidity. The balanced chemistry delivered wines with a wide range of fruit flavors across the red to black fruit spectrum and a layering of flavors marked against the brightness of acidity. This freshness and vibrancy resides within a classic structure with refined, tightly integrated tannins. The precision of this vintage is what we find so striking, an exactitude that should translate to great cellar worthiness.
Tasting Profile
The 2012 vintage marks our third release of varietal Malbec from the sand beds and gravel cobble of the Blueline Estate. Admittedly, we never intended to release a varietal Malbec. Coveted for it deep color concentration, it was originally planted to serve as a blending component for Cabernet Sauvignon. What we discovered along the way is that Malbec grown on our distinctive site renders an intriguing wet stone minerality and an electric vibrancy. Layers of tangy bright red fruits (strawberry and raspberry) complement the traditional black fruits associated with Malbec, and this year we blended in a high percentage of Petit Verdot to lend a dense richness to complement the tangy minerality. The 2012 Malbec beckons with exotic nutmeg, bright strawberry, roasted hazelnut, and earthy blood orange rind. Aromatically, it is one of the most compelling wines we make. On the palate, imagine tangy fresh-cut strawberries and rich vanilla bean ice cream with reduced balsamic glaze—not sweet but rich, distinct, vibrant flavors.
Just 50 cases produced, the Malbec is available only to our mailing list.
~ Jeff Smith, January 2016
Other Vintages
2016 Blueline Estate Malbec
2015 Blueline Estate Malbec
2014 Blueline Estate Malbec
2013 Blueline Estate Malbec
2011 Blueline Estate Malbec