2011 Provenance Calistoga Malbec

Provenance Vineyards focuses on provenance, the French idea that the geographical origin or source of grapes is integral to the character of the wine. Located in the heart of Rutherford, Provenance owns estate vineyards but also sources grapes from such legendary vineyards as Three Palms, Georges III and Wildwood. The estate’s inaugural release was a 1999 Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, and it specializes in single vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon Blanc. David Galzignato is winemaker. The estate is owned by Treasury Wine Estate, an Australian enterprise with a portfolio of premium wine estates.

Calistoga AVA is one of Napa Valley’s newer appellations, having been given appellation status in 2010. It is notable for its volcanic soil, which is unusual in the Napa Valley. Calistoga also experiences the greatest average 24-hour temperature swing of any Napa Valley AVAs, which Calistoga grape growers insist give the grapes time to “cool down” at night, making for better balanced wines. The 1,500 Calistoga vineyard acres are planted to Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Syrah and Petite Sirah, along with smaller amounts of other varietals. Calistoga is at the northern end of Napa Valley, northwest of the Diamond District and St. Helena AVAs. Longtime winemaker Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, which is located in the Calistoga AVA, proposed the creation of the appellation.

This grape produces a dark red wine with plenty of tannins. It is one of the six grapes allowed for blending red Bordeaux wines. Malbec is also the flagship variety of Argentina. The grape needs a lot of sun and heat to mature. It adds complexity and intensity to blends.