April 2017 Domestic Wine: 2014 Peirano Estate Vineyards “The Heritage Collection” Malbec, Lodi, California
fine Wine Source Wine Club
April 2017
Peirano Estate Vineyard: In 1879, with only $50 in his pocket, Giacomo Peirano (a former grape farmer in Genoa, Italy) immigrated to San Francisco with hopes of fulfilling the American Dream by striking it rich in the Gold Rush. Things in that arena didn’t “pan out” for Giacomo, so he took what was left of his money and settled in Lodi. At the time, Lodi was full of miners and their camps, but there was a shortage of merchants in the region. Giacomo sensed an opportunity and opened a mercantile store where miners could get their supplies and daily necessities; subsequently, this is where he would realize his fortune. He would soon return to Italy to fetch his betrothed and beloved Maria, and cuttings of Italian Zinfandel to plant on his recently acquired 300 acres of Lodi property. The Peirano Family had much to be thankful for until the turn of the century when tragedy would strike; two of their five sons died, one from a horse kick to the head and the other from blood poisoning. To keep their minds off their grief, Maria devoted her energies to the business and Giacomo to the vineyards. During Prohibition, the vineyards would survive as they were considered “table grapes.” The Depression would hit the Peirano’s equally as hard as most, but they persevered with a strong focus on family. Starting in 1992 through present, the vineyard and winemaking are handled by a fourth generation Peirano Family member, Lance Randolph. Peirano Estate Vineyards have won many awards for producing top of the line wine using many of the old techniques of Giacomo Peirano and staying focused on the family, their heritage, the land, and the fruit.
About: The 2014 vintage was an excellent but small lot and the Lodi Appellation is ideal for Malbec. Similar to Argentina’s Mendoza region, Lodi’s long warm days are moderated by cool temperatures influenced by cool winds from the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range. The fruit was hand harvested and sorted into small bins and immediately inoculated with yeast, helping to retain the varietal’s natural character while extracting a fair amount of tannin during fermentation. A combination of short and closely monitored rotary fermentation and static (tank) fermentation is used to get different characteristics. After completion of malolactic fermentation, the wine is racked and then aged in both French and American oak with 15% new.
Varietals: 100% Estate Malbec
Alcohol: 13.8%…enjoy it now or cellar through 2025.
Tasting Notes: The color is vibrant and deep purple/garnet. The aromas fill the senses with big ripe strawberries, flora, and tea. On the palate it is explosive with seductive fruit forward flavors of strawberries, blackberries, and rhubarb. The finish leads to a rich, round, soft mouthfeel from the moderate tannins with lingering spice and toast.
Pairings: Malbec’s softer tannins make it an ideal pairing for leaner meats; flank steak, skirt steak, and sirloin. It also pairs well with lamb, pork, or think chicken or steak fajitas!
Jim Lutfy’s Thoughts: A big POP of ripe red and black fruit. Great barbeque wine that drinks great with anything from the grill!