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
Fidélitas was founded in 2000 by veteran Washington winemaker Charlie Hoppes, formerly the head red winemaker at Chateau Ste. Michelle. Joined by his son Will Hoppes, the winery embodies an unyielding dedication to Bordeaux grape varieties cultivated exclusively within Washington State's prestigious Red Mountain AVA. Situated on warm, southwest-facing slopes, the region's intense sunlight, fierce winds, poor gravelly loam soils, and profound diurnal temperature fluctuations foster thick-skinned berries with formidable concentration and natural acidity. The estate vineyard, first planted in 2008 and farmed sustainably with Sustainable WA certification, is complemented by premier fruit partnerships with iconic sites such as Ciel du Cheval and Quintessence. Winemaking employs micro-lot fermentations in oak and neutral barrels, yielding structured, deeply expressive wines. The estate's benchmark portfolio is anchored by the flagship Optu Red and Optu White blends, vineyard-designated Cabernet Sauvignons, and varietal Malbecs.
🍇 Grapes
Malbec