2023 Secret Ingredient Malbec

2023 SECRET INGREDIENT MALBEC

While we are primarily focused on Cabernet Sauvignon, our love affair with Bordeaux varietals led us to plant the remaining four classic Bordeaux blending grapes, including Malbec. In 2010, we harvested our first Malbec from Bell Mountain Vineyard. Although we only had enough to fill one barrel, it was our favorite wine that year. Continuing our experimentation, we used a little of the Malbec to add to our other blends, and we marveled how it miraculously made everything better. It became our “secret ingredient”. When we finally had enough Malbec to make into its own bottling, we knew we had the perfect name – Secret Ingredient.

This 2023 Malbec opens with a deep, expressive nose of dark cherry, Bing cherry, and ripe black fruit, layered with mocha, toffee, and clove-driven baking spice. On the palate, the wine is thick and velvety yet remarkably fresh, with lush dark fruit framed by chalky, finely textured tannins that give power and precision. Hints of cocoa, sweet spice, and toasted oak build through the mid-palate, leading to a long, mouthwatering finish that balances richness with lift and energy. Structurally confident yet plush and approachable, this Malbec offers both immediate enjoyment and the potential for long-term cellaring. It pairs beautifully with slow-braised short ribs and earthy, mushroom-driven dishes.

Vintage 

The 2023 vintage was exceptional in so many ways and is expected to stand out as one of the finest. Beginning with a much-needed abundance of rainfall, a welcome relief after three years of intense drought, the vineyard came back to life with vibrant soil and canopies. A cool spring and summer allowed for a prolonged and gradual ripening period, resulting in exceptional phenolic ripeness and abundant flavors without excessively high sugar levels. Harvest kicked off later than usual, progressing at a steady pace that required lots of patience. This promises to be a vintage worth remembering and one that will let Bell Mountain truly express itself. We can't wait to savor the fruits of this extraordinary season.