Full Review

Paradise Ridge

Paradise Ridge
2018 Branham Vineyard, Malbec, Rockpile

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Malbec

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.8%
95 Points
Gold Medal
Exceptional
$58
Cellar Selection
2021 Best Malbec

Paradise Ridge
2018 Branham Vineyard, Malbec, Rockpile

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Malbec

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 13.8%
Deep purple color. Inviting aromas and flavors of boysenberry, fine leather, coconut cream, shortbread with toffee, baking spices, and black tea with a satiny, vibrant, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a tingling, appealing, medium-long finish with overtones of chocolate, honey, and blackberry sorbet with moderate oak flavor. A tasty, well-balanced Malbec that’s highly pairable; a serious Malbec for the enthusiast.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Fruity, Juicy & Smooth, Oaky, Rich & Full & Spicy & Complex
Aroma Aroma: boysenberry, fine leather, coconut cream, shortbread with toffee, baking spices, and black tea
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with overtones of hints of chocolate, honey, and blackberry sorbet
Sweetness Sweetness: Dry-yet-Fruity
Enjoy Enjoy: Now-3 years with food and on its own
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A tasty, well-balanced Malbec that's highly pairable; a serious Malbec for the enthusiast.

The Producer

Paradise Ridge Winery

The Producer
4545 Thomas Lake Harris Drive
Santa Rosa, CA 95403
USA
1 707-528-9463

Their Portfolio

88 Paradise Ridge 2015 The Convict, Zinfandel, Rockpile 14.2% (USA) $48.00.
88 Paradise Ridge 2015 The Posse Red Blend, Russian River Valley 13.6% (USA) $54.00.
86 Paradise Ridge 2016 The Confessor Red Blend, Rockpile 13.2% (USA) $60.00.
88 Paradise Ridge 2014 Blanc de Blanc, Russian River Valley 12.1% (USA) $44.00.
87 Paradise Ridge 2013 Late Disgorge Blanc de Blanc, Russian River Valley 12% (USA) $55.00.
87 Paradise Ridge 2015 Merlot, Sonoma County 13.9% (USA) $38.00.
92 Paradise Ridge 2012 Love Late Disgorge Blanc de Blanc, Russian River Valley 12% (USA) $52.00.
BR Paradise Ridge 2018 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 13.8% (USA) $30.00. - Bronze Medal
90 Paradise Ridge 2017 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 13.8% (USA) $40.00.
88 Paradise Ridge 2016 Vineyard Select, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 13.2% (USA) $45.00.
90 Paradise Ridge 2019 Grandview Vineyard, Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley 13.4% (USA) $22.00.
87 Paradise Ridge 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockpile 13.8% (USA) $50.00.
95 Paradise Ridge 2018 Branham Vineyard, Malbec, Rockpile 13.8% (USA) $58.00.
95 Paradise Ridge 2015 Barrel Select, Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockpile 13.9% (USA) $65.00.
90 Paradise Ridge 2018 Nagasawa Vineyard, Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 13.5% (USA) $44.00.
87 Paradise Ridge 2018 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley 13.8% (USA) $30.00.
92 Paradise Ridge 2019 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley 13.7% (USA) $45.00.
88 Paradise Ridge 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Rockpile 13.6% (USA) $49.00.
90 Paradise Ridge 2019 Zinfandel, Rockpile 13.9% (USA) $48.00.

Malbec

Wine Glass Cabernet.jpg
Serve in a Cabernet Wine Glass
While Malbec is historically known as a red Bordeaux variety, it is Argentina that has given this grape its new found popularity. Bright purple in color with ripe plum and black cherry fruit with moderate acidity, Malbec from Argentina has become the people’s choice among moderately priced red wines ($12-$16 a bottle in domestic markets).

Along with the plum and black cherry flavors, there are notes of pepper, black spice, and, in a few examples, a note of tobacco. Most versions from Argentina are made for consumption upon release or within the first two years after the vintage date; however, a few producers make long-lived offerings of Malbec from older vineyards that retail for $40 or more.

Malbec can work with a humble array of foods such as empanadas, hamburgers or grilled chicken or even roast meats or lighter game.