October 2025 2 Reds – Cellar
Fulcrum Madman Sonoma Red Blend (often just sold as Madman Red Blend from Sonoma/California), a bold and expressive California red blend featuring a mix of classic varietals: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot.
🍷 Tasting Notes — Madman Red Blend
Appearance:
Deep ruby to garnet purple in the glass with an inviting, rich color that hints at concentrated fruit and structure.
Nose (Aroma):
Engaging aromatics of black cherry, cassis, and plum are complemented by warmer nuances of brown sugar, anise, and cedar. Additional spice elements like red licorice, graphite, and subtle oak spice add complexity on the nose.
Palate (Taste):
On the palate this wine delivers ripe dark fruit flavors — black cherry, blackberry, and cassis — supported by layers of caramel, warm oak, and graphite. Spice notes like black pepper and sweet tobacco integrate with smooth, medium-plus acidity and fine-grained, well-structured tannins for balance and depth.
Finish:
The finish is long and engaging, with lingering dark fruit, spice, and a hint of cedar/oak warmth that invites another sip.
🍇 Style Summary
- Blend: Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot — a richly layered California red blend.
- Profile: Medium-plus to full-bodied with ripe fruit, spice depth, and oak influence.
- Tannins/Acidity: Bright acidity with fine, integrated tannins that shape the structure without drying.
🍽️ Food Pairings
Pairs wonderfully with:
✔ Grilled or roasted meats (steak, lamb chops)
✔ BBQ ribs or sausages with smoky spice
✔ Hard cheeses like aged cheddar or gouda
✔ Hearty pasta with rich tomato or meat sauces
ZAHA MALBEC 2022
WINEMAKER: Alejandro “Colo” Sejanovich & Jeff Mausbach
WINERY: ZaHa
VINEYARDS: Toko Vineyard
VARIETAL: 90% Malbec, 8% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
AVG. AGE OF VINES: 16 years
AVG. VINEYARD ALTITUDE: 4,000 feet
SUSTAINABLY FARMED: 100%
HARVEST METHOD: By Hand
AGING: 12 months in French oak, 10% new
ALCOHOL: 14.3%
TOTAL PRODUCTION: 1,000 Cases
RESIDUAL SUGAR: 2 g/L
ACIDITY: TA of 5.5 g/L
PACK SIZE: 12/750
VINTAGE NOTES
Paraje Altamira, with its high altitude and cool microclimate, is known for world-class Malbecs. The soils of Paraje Altamira are diverse, containing patches of sandy, rocky, and silty soils throughout the vineyard. Different soil profiles impart distinct aromatic and flavor profiles to the Malbec fruit: floral notes in the sandy patches, stony minerality in the rocky areas, and dark fruits in the silty soils.
LABEL NOTES
ZaHa means “Heart” in Mendoza’s native Huarpe language. The vines in the Toko vineyard extract the “Blood of the Earth” from deep within the rocky limestone sub soil.
WINEMAKING
Harvested over a two-week period, the winemakers taste the fruit daily and design a blend of soils and varieties. The blend may include Malbecs from each different soil, Malbec from one soil co-fermented with Cabernet Franc, or a different soil profile co-fermented with Petit Verdot. At the end of the harvest, 15-20 individual wines are made to reflect the complex diversity of soils, varietals, and harvest dates. These wines are blended together throughout the barrel aging process.
FERMENTATION
Each day’s harvest is micro-vinified in small 500kg plastic harvest bins using only natural yeasts. There are between 20-60% whole clusters in the ferment, depending on the lot. Fermentation is slow and gradual, with manual punching down as the cap management technique. Fermentation temperatures are kept low to preserve the delicate aromatic profile.
COLOR: Deep purple
TASTING NOTES
Deep purple in color, Zaha Malbec opens with elegant aromas of violet and rose petals. The palate is driven by fresh red and black fruits, supported by round, silky tannins and a vibrant, refreshing finish.
AWARDS
90pts Wine Spectator
94pts JAMESSUCKLING.COM
UPC: 852282002902
CONTACT
vinodelsol.com
@vinodelsolwine
@vinodelsolf
@vinodelsol
Vino del Sol’s wineries are all estate-grown, sustainably-farmed, and family-owned.
