Northridge Malbec
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 3–10 years from the vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted leg of lamb, rich beef empanadas
✨ Technical Specifications
The Fidelitas Northridge Malbec is a striking expression of the Wahluke Slope AVA, sourced from the highly acclaimed Northridge Vineyard. Situated on a broad, south-facing alluvial terrace, this vineyard is defined by its arid, desert-like climate and unique soils composed of wind-blown sand and silt over caliche and gravel. Winemaker Charlie Hoppes utilizes this intense heat and distinct terroir to craft a Malbec of exceptional concentration and structural integrity. While Malbec traditionally played a supporting role in Bordeaux, it has found a dramatic, sun-drenched home in Washington State, where the dramatic diurnal temperature shifts preserve natural acidity while allowing the fruit to achieve optimum ripeness. The resulting wine is a bold, expressive showcase of dark fruit, cocoa, and refined mineral complexity.
🍾 About the Producer
Established in 2000 by veteran Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes, Fidelitas is an artisanal winery dedicated to showcasing the distinct terroir of the Red Mountain AVA in Washington State. True to the Latin meaning of its name—faithfulness—the estate adheres to a philosophy of unwavering fidelity to grape varietal and vineyard character. Sourcing fruit from premier sites such as Quintessence, Ciel du Cheval, and the Fidelitas Estate Vineyard, the winery utilizes precise small-lot fermentation and focused oak aging. Fidelitas is celebrated for its powerful, structured, and age-worthy Bordeaux-style reds, most notably its acclaimed single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, Malbec, and signature Optu Red blend.
🍇 Grape Varieties
Malbec