On the nose, marked floral profile characteristics of this property, as well as the typical notes of the varietal: plums and fresh red fruit with floral notes and a subtle touch of spices from the local flora. Limestone outcroppings in the vineyard create a mineral texture and fresh mouthfeel with polished tannins. It is a complex and balanced wine with a long finish. Pair with slow-braised short ribs, bacon-wrapped dates, or spicy cheeses. Part of the single vineyard range, the 2013 Malbec Naoki's Vineyard was produced with grapes from a very young vineyard (planted in 2010) at 950 meters altitude on clay and limestone soils. This is the first bottling from these vines, and they have produced impressive juice that showed floral notes and nicely integrated oak. It was quite a revelation tasting this with the following vintage, where the grapes provided much more depth. This is quite harmonious, with some lightness and sparkling flavors. 14,400 bottles were filled in July 2015 after one year in barrel. Bright ruby-red. Strong spicy oak along with raspberry, currant and rose petal on the nose. Juicy and energetic but youthfully imploded, showing excellent definition to its savory red fruit flavors. Doesn't have quite the depth or nuance of the other two Casarena vineyard-designated reds, but this Malbec really glistens in the mouth; one feels the energy of limestone. Finishes with excellent subtle length and grip and a light touch. A very classy wine from very young vines.
