The Best Malbec in America - VinePair

We are incredibly grateful to VinePair and tasting director Keith Beavers for recognizing the dedication behind our farming and winemaking at Old Westminster Winery.

"Winemaker Lisa Hinton is onto something. Maryland is emerging as a nationally recognized wine-growing state, and Old Westminster Winery is leading the way. Great wine is made all across this country. It’s the skills, patience, focus, and land respect of humans that make a wine excellent. Old Westminster knows this and has these tools." – VinePair

Read the full article here.

VinePair has named our Malbec the “Best Malbec Outside of Argentina”, calling it “one of the most bright, beautiful, and balanced Malbecs on the market.” They praised its subtle earthy tones reminiscent of the grape’s French counterpart, Cahors, alongside its savory nose of dried herbs and dark wild berry fruit, and exceptional acidity that strikes a perfect balance between fruit and earth.

A True Expression of Terroir

Harvested by hand on October 2, 2020, from South Mountain Vineyard, this Malbec reflects the rugged beauty of its origins. The vines thrive in Catoctin Complex soils—a unique mix of shale, greenstone, and quartz—which impart distinctive character to the wine.

After a three-day cold soak, fermentation began naturally, with gentle pumpovers over six days to enhance depth and color. Extended skin contact added further complexity before the wine aged for 36 months in French oak, resulting in a beautifully structured Malbec with elegance and depth.

With moderate tannins and a long, mineral-driven finish, this Malbec offers a savory nose of dried herbs, dark wild berries, and tilled soil. On the palate, its exceptional acidity harmonizes with notes of dark chocolate, toasted vanilla, and black plum—a stunning interplay of fruit and earth.

We’re incredibly proud of winemaker Lisa Hinton, our hardworking team, and the wines we’re crafting together. Your support means the world to us.