Aged nearly a year in new French oak, the "Troubadour" is probably the most "fruit driven" wine in our stable for 2004. The cepage is 67% Merlot (400 block) and 33% Malbec (Prototype block), all from Granite HIll Vineyards.

In 2002, we made a 100% Malbec from fruit coming from the same Granite Hill Vineyards "Prototype block."  In Tom Stevenson's book "Wine Report 2005", Master of Wine Doug Frost tapped it as one of the top ten most interesting wines from the "Other U.S. states" category (the east and west coast states being treated separately) and likened it to the best the Cahors region of France might offer. With the same sourced Malbec playing more than a nominal role in the 2004 Troubadour, we find a similar parallel to Cahors.

Having no Bordeaux aspirations, the wine presents itself individualistically with a lovely, natural ruby-purple robe. The nose exudes black cherries and, more deeply, blackberries, with notes of iron, gunpowder and roasted nuts. The new oak influence is finely woven into the wine, lending a sense of balance and another dimension of interest, without domination. The finish is long, lingering and something a conscientious taster will appreciate. We made about 118 cases of this one.

Suggested presentation:  The troubadour can certainly stand up to a hearty steak, however, it has the elegance to pair well with duck, veal, pork and wild game.  It shows best in either medium or large "Bordeaux" shaped glasses and should be served, as with our other reds, just a little above "cellar temperature" (62 degrees F).

La Rosa 2005 | Cohete Rojo | Cohete Rojo "Prestige"  Pétard Blanc 2005 | Estate Syrah