Full Review

Shenandoah Vineyards

Shenandoah Vineyards
2018 Rezerve®, Malbec, Amador County

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Malbec

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.2%
86 Points
Silver Medal
Highly Recommended
$24

Shenandoah Vineyards
2018 Rezerve®, Malbec, Amador County

Pair this wine with:
Beef Cheese Pasta Pork

Category: Malbec

Date Tasted:
Country: USA
Alcohol: 14.2%
Dusty dark ruby color. Alliaceous aromas and flavors of pickled garlic scapes, sun dried tomato, strawberry relish, and caramel corn with a silky, bright, light-to-medium body and an even, medium-length finish manifesting overtones of chocolate cookies and smoked coffee beans with heavy oak flavor. A savory, smoky, oaky Malbec that marches to the beat of its own drum.

Tasting Info

Wine Glass Style: Oaky & Savory
Aroma Aroma: pickled garlic scapes, sun dried tomato, strawberry relish, and caramel corn
Taste Flavor: Same as aromas with overtones of chocolate cookies and smoked coffee beans
Sweetness Sweetness: Dryish
Enjoy Enjoy: Now on its own and with food
Recipes Pairing: Baked Ham, Meat Loaf, Lasagna
Bottom Line Bottom Line: A savory, smoky, oaky Malbec that marches to the beat of its own drum.

The Producer

Sobon Wine Company, LLC

The Producer
12300 Steiner Rd.
Plymouth, CA 95669
USA
1 209-245-4455

Their Portfolio

90 Shenandoah Vineyards 2018 Special Reserve, Zinfandel, Amador County 14.5% (USA) $12.00.
87 Shenandoah Vineyards 2018 ReZerve®, Barbera, Amador County 14.5% (USA) $24.00.
85 Shenandoah Vineyards 2016 Vintage Port, Amador County 18% (USA) $18.00.
88 Shenandoah Vineyards 2018 Black Muscat, Fortified Muscat, Amador County 17% (USA) $12.00.
95 Shenandoah Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Franc, Amador County 14.5% (USA) $20.00.
86 Shenandoah Vineyards 2018 Rezerve®, Malbec, Amador County 14.2% (USA) $24.00.
88 Shenandoah Vineyards 2019 Special Reserve, Zinfandel, Amador County 14.5% (USA) $12.00.
85 Shenandoah Vineyards 2020 Special Reserve, Zinfandel, Amador County 15% (USA) $13.00.
86 Shenandoah Vineyards 2020 Rzerve®, Malbec, Amador County 15% (USA) $26.00.
91 Shenandoah Vineyards 2020 Zinfandel, Amador County 15% (USA) $24.00.
BR Shenandoah Vineyards 2018 Daphne Angelica Dessert Wine, Amador County 18% (USA) $24.00. - Bronze Medal
88 Sobon Estate 2018 Old Vine, Zinfandel, Amador County 14.5% (USA) $14.00.
90 Sobon Estate 2018 Rocky Top, Zinfandel, Amador County 14.5% (USA) $18.00.
93 Sobon Estate 2018 ReZerve® Zin, Zinfandel, Amador County 15.4% (USA) $24.00.
91 Sobon Estate 2018 Cougar Hill, Zinfandel, Amador County 14.5% (USA) $18.00.
92 Sobon Estate 2018 Lubenko Vineyard, Zinfandel, Fiddletown 15.5% (USA) $22.00.
92 Sobon Estate 2018 Paul’s, Zinfandel, Amador County 15.2% (USA) $24.00.
88 Sobon Estate 2018 ReZerve®, Primitivo, Amador County 15.1% (USA) $24.00.
87 Sobon Estate 2018 Barbera, Amador County 14.8% (USA) $17.00.
87 Sobon Estate 2018 Zinfandel Port, Amador County 18% (USA) $16.00.
86 Sobon Estate 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon, California 13.8% (USA) $18.00.
85 Sobon Estate 2020 Viognier, Amador County 13.8% (USA) $17.00.
90 Sobon Estate 2018 ReZerve, Petite Sirah, Amador County 15.2% (USA) $28.00.
93 Sobon Estate 2019 Barbera, Amador 14.8% (USA) $17.00.
93 Sobon Estate 2019 Rocky Top, Zinfandel, Amador County 14.5% (USA) $18.00.
93 Sobon Estate 2019 Cougar Hill, Zinfandel, Amador County 14.5% (USA) $18.00.
89 Sobon Estate 2019 Old Vine, Zinfandel, Amador County 15% (USA) $14.00.
92 Sobon Estate 2019 Syrah, Amador County 14.5% (USA) $18.00.
92 Sobon Estate 2019 Red A Premium Blend, Amador County 14.5% (USA) $17.00.
93 Sobon Estate 2019 ReZerve®, Primitivo, Amador County 15.1% (USA) $24.00.
89 Sobon Estate 2019 ReZerve®, Zinfandel, Amador County 15.5% (USA) $24.00.
87 Sobon Estate 2020 Cougar Hill, Zinfandel, Amador County 15% (USA) $20.00.
90 Sobon Estate 2020 Rocky Top, Zinfandel, Amador County 15% (USA) $20.00.
86 Sobon Estate 2020 Old Vine, Zinfandel, Amador County 15% (USA) $15.00.
89 Sobon Estate 2020 Zinfandel, Fiddletown 15% (USA) $23.00.
90 Sobon Estate 2020 ReZerve®, Zinfandel, Amador County 15% (USA) $26.00.
85 Sobon Estate 2022 Dry Rosé, Amador County 13.5% (USA) $15.00.
91 Sobon Estate 2021 Rocky Top, Zinfandel, Amador County 15% (USA) $20.00.
86 Sobon Estate 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Amador County 14.2% (USA) $18.00.
86 Sobon Estate 2020 Port, Zinfandel, Amador County 18% (USA) $17.00.

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.