Nose
Malbec on its own brings heady floral aromas of violets and can be what I call the wild child.
Palate
Big, bold and juicy upon entry, Malbec is virtually loaded with flavor. When you layer in Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon, you get complex layers of blackberries, milk chocolate, black plums and exotic perfume that carry throughout a plush texture and a ripe juicy core of black fruits. The signature of Lion Tamer is a generous palate of black raspberry and surprisingly lush tannins. Concentrated in the mid-palate and graceful in its power, the wine has gorgeous notes of cassis, clove and candied licorice wrapped in bright cherry and vanilla.
Harvest
The real story behind the 2015 growing season was that it was one of the earliest harvests on record, featuring variability in crop size, with some grapes affected more than others. As the drought continued, an early bud-break in spring led to a protracted bloom and fruit set, followed by cool weather that extended deep into May. Heat was minimal through the summer, but fruit marched quickly to ripening, even as an early September sprinkle slowed the pace for just a moment. In the end, we saw a slightly less abundant harvest than the immediately previous years.
Aging
Aged in 40% new French oak barrels for 22 months.
