Reward Offered 2022
VARIETY Malvasia Bianca
BRIX at Harvest 20.8
PH at Harvest 3.2
LOCATION Willcox, Arizona
VINEYARD Rhumb Line Vineyard
SOIL TYPE McAllister loam, a deep alluvial soil rich in clay and limestone
PRODUCTION 69 cases
ALCOHOL 11.8%
COLLAB Label art by Jason Pierce
Vineyard
Rhumb Line Vineyard is situated on 60 acres in the Willcox AVA in the foothills of the Dos Cabezas Mountains. The vines are grown at 4,300 feet on McAllister loam, a deep alluvial soil rich in clay and limestone. The estate grows Spanish, Italian and Rhone varietals. Rhumb Line has been practicing organic for years and are looking to become organic certified in the near future. The Grapes
The Malvasia Bianca vines were planted in 2013 and are grown in the high desert, 4,300 feet on the northern edge of the Willcox Bench. Deep alluvial soil rich in clay and limestone combined with extreme diurnal shifts of hot days and cool nights allow the grapes to preserve aromas and natural acidity.Vinification
The Malvasia Bianca grapes were hand picked and transported to Arizona Stronghold in Camp Verde, Arizona for vinification. The grapes were pressed one day after harvest and fermented with native yeasts in a stainless steel tank for 5 weeks before being racked to 3 neutral oak barrels. The wine finished fermenting in barrel and was aged sur lie for ~7 months with no bâtonnage. Racked once before bottling. Unfined, unfiltered with 20 PPM of added SO2.Expression
Highly aromatic, this Malvasia Bianca welcomes the senses with a mélange of exotic fruit, candied ginger and orange blossom, with notes of ripe nectarines and apricots. Across the palate, these flavors continue, weaving lychee, spices and hints of white flowers across a plush mid-palate. Juicy pear and apricot are lifted by bright tangerine, cardamom, coriander and ginger, which continue through the long, clean and round finish.