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Devil Proof Farrow Ranch Malbec 2015
95 points - rare Rare new release from winemaker Jesse Katz one of California's hottest new winemakers under the Devil Proof and Aperture labels. Limited. 95+ Points Robert Parker: "Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2015 Malbec Farrow Ranch is a little mute to begin, giving way to a rock-star nose of crème de cassis, blueberry pie and baked cherries with nuances of plum pudding and Christmas cake plus touches of potpourri and espresso. Very big, full-bodied and jam-packed with generous fruit, it has a built-like-a-brick-house structure and finishes with epic length. Forget this for 5-6 years and drink it over the next 20+." The label was shot by Jesse's father, renowned photograph Andy Katz, in Cuba in the early 90s and is one of his favorite photographs. The expression of the Cuban woman joyfully holding a Cuban cigar in hand says what you need to know about the wine. For his first wine under his first label, Jesse wanted to make a wine that pushed the boundaries. He didn’t want to take the easy road. So, he decided to take a grape varietal that’s not commonly made in California (and when it is made, it’s generally not well-made), stuck to his guns and made a great Malbec.
Ratings on Delectable
Matthew Marcino 
Stellar. Thought this was way more approachable than the 2015. Both are stellar, this one just showed nicely quicker
Stellar. Thought this was way more approachable than the 2015. Both are stellar, this one just showed nicely quicker
9.5
Greg Ballington
Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog
First time trying these Malbecs from Jesse Katz and Devil Proof. Thanks Lauren for cracking these for us! Dark purplish red with some garnet too. Loads of spices on the nose intermixed with red berries and some blue fruit. Medium plus tannins (7.5/10) and full body. Rich and a touch dry on the palate with layers of black currants, dirt, herbs, black dried fruits, bark and almost a touch of cola. A bit spicy too leading into the long finish. Drink till 2036. (93+) Wow. This is the second best Malbec, just bet out by its new younger sibling - the Rockpile Ridge. This is made up of 100% Malbec from a single block (Block #17) on the Farrow Ranch vineyard which was planted back in 2002 with Clone 4 and Clone 595 Malbec. It is aged in 100% new French oak barrels similar to the Rockpile Ridge. First stop (Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof Vineyards) on our very first trip to Sonoma, and we were not dissappointed. The wines made by Jesse Katz have a ton of finesse, power and character, but the wines under his Devil Proof Label are at another level. Definitely a Malbec that needs to be on any wine collector's radar. The photo for the label was taken by Andy Katz, Jesse's father, back when he was commissed by the Cuban Government to take photos of their way of life. We love the saying for the label "Live well, drink well, and the devil can't get you". We do not know about you but we will follow her lead and hopefully become a little bit Devil Proof.
First time trying these Malbecs from Jesse Katz and Devil Proof. Thanks Lauren for cracking these for us! Dark purplish red with some garnet too. Loads of spices on the nose intermixed with red berries and some blue fruit. Medium plus tannins (7.5/10) and full body. Rich and a touch dry on the palate with layers of black currants, dirt, herbs, black dried fruits, bark and almost a touch of cola. A bit spicy too leading into the long finish. Drink till 2036. (93+) Wow. This is the second best Malbec, just bet out by its new younger sibling - the Rockpile Ridge. This is made up of 100% Malbec from a single block (Block #17) on the Farrow Ranch vineyard which was planted back in 2002 with Clone 4 and Clone 595 Malbec. It is aged in 100% new French oak barrels similar to the Rockpile Ridge. First stop (Aperture Cellars and Devil Proof Vineyards) on our very first trip to Sonoma, and we were not dissappointed. The wines made by Jesse Katz have a ton of finesse, power and character, but the wines under his Devil Proof Label are at another level. Definitely a Malbec that needs to be on any wine collector's radar. The photo for the label was taken by Andy Katz, Jesse's father, back when he was commissed by the Cuban Government to take photos of their way of life. We love the saying for the label "Live well, drink well, and the devil can't get you". We do not know about you but we will follow her lead and hopefully become a little bit Devil Proof.
9.3
Deborah M
I am a big fan of Malbecs. I describe them as being a “fuller” Merlot (bear with me and my non-technical descriptions). I find Malbecs to be brooding, seductive, and complex. I like that I can enjoy a glass with or without food. Kudos to Jesse Katz on producing such a gem. I am also giving myself credit for exercising patience and letting this one get a little bottle age before opening. First off, the label on this bottle is everything! You can’t help but smile with the lady while you are enjoying this wine. Details: 100% Malbec. Single vineyard. This wine comes from the Alexander Valley hillsides in Northern Sonoma County. The wine is described as being both elegant and powerful. 14.6% ABV (but doesn’t come across that high). Only 325 cases were made. It is worth repeating that my best wine experiences always involve sharing wine with friends and last night proved no different. Halloween costume shenanigans and Devil Proof’s Farrow Ranch helped make for a memorable night. It should go without saying that this wine wine should be paired with friends, laughter, and costumes. @55Seventy
I am a big fan of Malbecs. I describe them as being a “fuller” Merlot (bear with me and my non-technical descriptions). I find Malbecs to be brooding, seductive, and complex. I like that I can enjoy a glass with or without food. Kudos to Jesse Katz on producing such a gem. I am also giving myself credit for exercising patience and letting this one get a little bottle age before opening. First off, the label on this bottle is everything! You can’t help but smile with the lady while you are enjoying this wine. Details: 100% Malbec. Single vineyard. This wine comes from the Alexander Valley hillsides in Northern Sonoma County. The wine is described as being both elegant and powerful. 14.6% ABV (but doesn’t come across that high). Only 325 cases were made. It is worth repeating that my best wine experiences always involve sharing wine with friends and last night proved no different. Halloween costume shenanigans and Devil Proof’s Farrow Ranch helped make for a memorable night. It should go without saying that this wine wine should be paired with friends, laughter, and costumes. @55Seventy
9.5Jonathan McCarthy
So this is what Malbec tastes like. Get your shit together, Argentina, et al. She’s super inky, ultra extracted, velvety weight on the tongue. Blackest blackberry, mulberry, boysenberry. A desk drawer of fresh pencil shavings and a little hardwood dust. Boozy perfumes of dark petaled flowers. It glides along on wheels of the lightest hickory smoke and bacon fat. Pepper, pepper, pepper, and perhaps, a faint but determined whiff of curry. Holy shit, this stuff is otherworldly. Get yours before word really gets out.
So this is what Malbec tastes like. Get your shit together, Argentina, et al. She’s super inky, ultra extracted, velvety weight on the tongue. Blackest blackberry, mulberry, boysenberry. A desk drawer of fresh pencil shavings and a little hardwood dust. Boozy perfumes of dark petaled flowers. It glides along on wheels of the lightest hickory smoke and bacon fat. Pepper, pepper, pepper, and perhaps, a faint but determined whiff of curry. Holy shit, this stuff is otherworldly. Get yours before word really gets out.
9.6
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