Quintessence Malbec
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3–10 years from vintage release.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, blue cheese
✨ wine.spec_sheet
The Fidelitas Quintessence Malbec is a stunning showcase of how this classic Bordeaux variety thrives in the unique, high-desert terroir of Washington State's Red Mountain AVA. Sourced from the acclaimed Quintessence Vineyard, which climbs the warm, south-facing slopes of the appellation, the vines are planted in gravelly, calcium-carbonate-rich soils deposited by the prehistoric Missoula Floods. Winemaker Charlie Hoppes masterfully coaxes out the grape's deep, ink-like color and robust structure, utilizing small-lot fermentation and aging in select French oak barrels. The result is a Malbec of exceptional concentration, balancing dark fruit intensity with the signature mineral-driven acidity and powerful tannins characteristic of Red Mountain.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Established in 2000 by acclaimed winemaker Charlie Hoppes, Fidelitas is a premier boutique winery deeply rooted in the Red Mountain AVA of Washington State. With a steadfast focus on crafting exceptional Bordeaux-style blends and single-vineyard Cabernet Sauvignons, the winery sources grapes from some of the region's most prestigious vineyards, including Champoux, Ciel du Cheval, and Quintessence, alongside their own estate plantings. Fidelitas is renowned for its modern, precise winemaking techniques, utilizing carefully selected French and American oak barrels to shape wines of remarkable concentration, structure, and aging potential. Under Hoppes' expert guidance, the estate has become a benchmark producer for Red Mountain, capturing the unique, sun-drenched terroir in every bottle of their signature Optu Red and site-specific Cabernet Sauvignon expressions.