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
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