100 Points
"Chris Carpenter’s thesis at UC Davis was on Malbec, and what he knew of it from Argentina, he applied when he got his hands on the fruit for this wine (the original block was planted in the early 2000s, with a second planting in 2008); and he is quick to point out that this is 'Not an Australian Malbec', but he loved the bright red fruit and rhubarb-like character that comes from those wines. Here, under the Mt. Brave label, in the glass, what I can tell you is that it's one of the most compelling Malbec wines from the United States that I've ever tasted. It delivers its blue-fruit character with riveting freshness, layered with black raspberry and graphite mineral notes, floral tones that wow the senses, all building to a medium- to full-bodied richness on the palate. Never overripe, never too rich, just in the perfect vein of balanced freshness with mineral tension. The tannins are super fine and velvety, and the finish goes on for days and days. This is a game-changing Malbec from Napa; for those who think they have California Malbec figured out, get a bottle of this and be prepared to be floored."
Jonathan Cristaldi, Decanter June 2026