Eighty Four, Napa Valley (California) Malbec 2014

 Stand-alone Malbec is still somewhat rare in California so there is no accepted style.  This collaboration between Doug Shafer and Elias Fernandez – the Shafer Vineyards team – could be a place to start.  This darkly colored vintage exhibits heft on a scale with some Napa Valley cabernet sauvignons.  It shows impressive depth, with ripe layers of black fruits and a generous dose of oak spice.  The tannins are ample but nicely integrated.  This wine should cellar well over the next decade, and it’s showing well now, too.