Quintessence Malbec
⏳ Drinking Window
Typically best enjoyed 3–10 years from vintage release.
🍽️ Food & Wine Pairings
Grilled ribeye steak, roasted lamb chops, blue cheese
✨ Technical Specifications
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.
🍾 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