2016 Darow Series Malbec
Tasting notes
We designate estate-grown wines of special distinction as “Darow Series” after our vineyard’s most prevalent soil type. This is our first estate-grown Malbec and we couldn’t be more excited about how well Malbec appears to be matched to our estate vineyard’s mesoclimate. The color of this wine, a nearly impenetrable purple-red, is striking as is the explosion of blackberry, boysenberry, and crushed raspberry fruit aromas. Telltale hints of violet perfume and pencil shavings define this wine’s varietal character. On the palate a dense, concentrated core of very ripe fruit is framed by finely delineated tannins and well-integrated oak. The finish, which lasts seemingly forever, combines powerful fruit and a velvety texture as the subtle graham cracker and marionberry pie filling notes emerge. This is irresistible now and will gain complexity and body over the next 4-6 years. We suggest pairing with a grilled KC strip with morels and green peppercorns in a red wine and veal demi reduction.
Aging: 22 months in 40% new and 40% 2-year-old French oak
The 2016 vintage was notable for 2Hawk as our first harvest from our major vineyard expansion project in 2014. Like in 2015, spring arrived early, but it was cool and dry. The weather during flowering limited the crop load naturally so very little fruit thinning was required. Summer was typically warm and absent the normal early showers, so the vineyard required extra attention to ensure we had no detrimental water stress. Fortunately, summer gave way to a beautiful and temperate early fall season for the final ripening phase. Harvest was definitely early given the age of the vineyard and amount of fruit. We finished picking our mature vines just before the October rains settled in.
| Varietal Composition | 92% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Sauvignon |
| Appellation | Rogue Valley |
| Harvest Date | 09/20/2016 |
| Alcohol | 14.50% |
| Volume | 750 ml |
| Bottling Date | 08/07/2018 |
| Cases Produced | 130 |
Wine Enthusiast Magazine: 92 points
Beverage Testing Institute: 93 points, Gold Medal - "Deep purple color. Inviting aromas and flavors of blueberry preserves, cured meats, sesame-honey confection, and cacao nibs with a velvety, vibrant, fruity medium-to-full body and a smooth, complex long finish that presents notes of smoked vanilla, bouquet garni, and roasted nuts with well-integrated, silky tannins and moderate oak flavor. A nuanced and balanced Malbec that will surely elevate roasted and grilled meat; try this silky stunner with roast duck."
Great Northwest Wine Awards: Gold Medal
TEXSOM International Wine Awards: Silver Medal
Oregon Wine Competition: Silver Medal
SavorNW Wine Awards 2019: Silver Medal
Las Vegas Global Wine Awards 2019: Silver Medal
Oregon Wine Awards: Silver Medal
Although part of the Rogue Valley AVA, the 2Hawk Estate Vineyard lies in an area known locally as the Bear Creek sub-basin. The two-layered bedrock beneath our soils consists of a shallow volcanic layer, the Roxy Formation, and a deeper, softer layer of alluvial sandstone, The Payne Cliffs Formation. The Klamath Mountains uplifting event, roughly 20 million years ago, began a long erosion process that resulted in our predominately volcanic soils, which are unique to the Rogue Valley AVA. An area of cobbled river rocks in our eastern section and a sandy streak of considerably younger colluvial deposit running through the center of our vineyard site distinguish 2Hawk from neighboring vineyards. Overall, we have some of the oldest soils in the valley and they are characterized as shallow silty- to clayey-loams that are moderately well drained with moderate to rapid runoff.
