Cain Vineyard & Winery
François’ Pick
2018 Malbec
Spring Mountain District
Auction 24 | Lot No. 31
Vintage: 2018
Cain Vineyard & Winery
François’ Pick
Malbec
Spring Mountain District
5 cases produced
Highlights
- Malbec from the Cain Vineyard, which ranges from 1,700 to 2,100 feet in elevation
- From ultra-low-yield mountainside soils, such as ancient marine sedimentary sandstone, shale and clay
- Site dominates variety: Could you guess by tasting?
- It’s utterly unlike anything you’ve ever tasted from Mendoza
Description
The 2018 Cain Vineyard Malbec is classically Cain, seen through the lens of Malbec. This wine is a composition of several blocks harvested at the same time and co-vinified together. It's utterly unlike anything you've ever tasted from Mendoza. Inky black but close your eyes and you might think you're smelling a lovely perfumed Sauvignon Blanc! In keeping with Malbec, it's luscious, light and flowing, leaving the palate refreshed.
Wine Facts
- Single vineyard wine
- Sustainably produced
- Organically produced (also commonly called "organically grown")
- Wine is 100% estate grown and bottled
Christopher Howell
Winemaker, Cain Vineyard & Winery
Chris Howell calls himself, Wine-Grower. He has dedicated more than twenty-five years to Cain Vineyard & Winery. His commitment to Cain stems from a realization that one can only learn from one vintage to the next, and that depth of knowledge of a single vineyard takes years to acquire. His focus is on fine wine-growing, following the process from vineyard into the cellar and finally to the glass. There are just two essential prerequisites for doing this, knowing wine and loving wine. In both of these, he remains a perpetual student.
Country born: United States
Education: My perspective has been informed by very many generous friends, colleagues and teachers, both in Napa and from throughout the world, who have shared their experiences generously. I thank them all.
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Winemaking Philosophy:
A confirmed traditionalist, with a New World perspective, Chris believes that winemaking is merely the corollary of grapegrowing. Originality is discovered in the vineyard.
Francois Bugue
Winemaker, Cain Vineyard & Winery
I was born and raised in Cognac, France, where my family has a vineyard. After completing four years of enology and viticulture school, I took over the management of my family's estate. Then, at age 24, I decided to explore the New World of wine. Ending up in the Napa Valley, I worked for a small winery, Bernard Pradel Cellars (now Elyse), where I managed their viticulture and winemaking. I worked the harvest of 1993 at Newton Vineyard, and began working for Cain Vineyard & Winery in 1994 as associate winemaker.
Country born: France
Education: Four years of studying viticulture and enology in France
Years in the wine industry: 30+ years
Winemaking Philosophy:
Winemaking begins in the vineyard, a long time before any fermentation takes place in the cellar. Being able to read what the vines are showing you, and how the grapes are behaving at harvest time, is a must. The process of transforming grapes into wine in the barrel should flow easily, until judicious blending takes place.
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