Denier-Handal Malbec and Dolcetto

Tasting notes & discussion 19

Typically $33/bottle from Handal-Denier Vineyards
Vintage 2020 Malbec and Dolcetto from the North Coast and Sonoma County
Available for AZ; CA; CO; CT; DC; FL; GA; IA; ID; IL; IN; KS; LA; MA; MD; ME; MI; MN; MO; MT; NC; NE; NJ; NM; NV; NY; OH; OK; OR; PA; RI; SC; SD; TX; VA; VT; WA; WI; WV; WY
Sold by participating winery or licensee, fulfilled by Wine Country Connect

About Handal-Denier Vineyards, LLC
“An award-winning, family-run winery in the heart of Dry Creek Valley… We grew and produced boutique lots of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Sagrantino, a Red Blend and Cabernet Sauvignon at the Wellington facility in Glen Ellen. We now produce our wines at the Meeker custom crush facility in Healdsburg and continue to receive consulting support from Peter Wellington as well as David Noyes who also worked with Wellington.”

Plants du Roi

TASTING NOTES:
Malbec - “Dick Handal is particular about Malbec. He finds that most of it produced outside of Argentina is not the best it can be. For this wine he wanted to make sure the fruit was a standout and that very little manipulation was done to get the most of what the fruit had to offer. This wine has a beautiful aroma and a deep ruby color. The flavors are bright with hints of light earth, raspberries, cooked strawberries and currant” (AbV 13.5%, pH 3.78)

Dolcetto - “Taking a hint from a longtime friend and peer, Dick Handal decided to purchase the Dolcetto from this vineyard because he had tasted delicious wines made from this fruit. He liked the option to be able to blend this into wines like the 2020 Family Blend, make a rose of it and decided to make the Dolcetto on its own. The aroma is light and fruit, the color is a soft supple ruby and the flavors are bright, fruit, red & black plum, spice and earth. It is a great young wine that will age well.” (AbV 14.5%, pH 3.78)

BARRELS: 20 months in French oak.

TANGENTIALLY RELATED FACT to help you make conversation over this wine:
Both Malbec and Dolcetto have been referred to a Plant du Roi… and what do you know, that’s exactly what we’ve got this weekend. Also thanks to the Y. Rousseau sale from Wednesday, I know Roi means royal! I took German instead of French in school, okay. I thought it would make me sound cooler.

PAIRS WITH (winery recommended):
Malbec - grilled meats, night shades, roast potatoes, cheeses and cured meats.

Dolcetto - various Italian dishes, Asian dishes and desserts.

OR (really-going-with-the-theme-option): Wherever the Venn diagram of Malbec and Dolcetto pairings overlaps.

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