Devil Proof

Farrow Ranch Malbec

9.355 ratings
9.310 pro ratings
Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA
Malbec
Tomato-Based, Beef, Potato, Venison, White Rice, Pork, Chili & Hot Spicy, Pungent Cheese, Salami & Prosciutto, Mushrooms, Pasta, Hard Cheese, Lamb, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Brian S

Well made but not sure I feel all of the hype and 100 point scores.

Well made but not sure I feel all of the hype and 100 point scores.

Jan 21st, 2024
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

Oct 19th, 2019
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.3

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.

May 28th, 2018
Errol Mclaughlin

Wow. Incredible American Malbec. Smooth right out of the bottle and just got better and better in glass.

Wow. Incredible American Malbec. Smooth right out of the bottle and just got better and better in glass.

1 person found it helpfulJan 25th, 2019
Peter Langenstein

A big full bodied Sonoma Malbec with cedary oak usually found in Napa cabs - hard not to like it

A big full bodied Sonoma Malbec with cedary oak usually found in Napa cabs - hard not to like it

1 person found it helpfulJan 9th, 2017
Lee Kass

Still young. Tasted one bottle and love it.

Still young. Tasted one bottle and love it.

1 person found it helpfulJan 11th, 2016
Brian Scott

WOW.

WOW.

1 person found it helpfulOct 26th, 2015
Jonathan Walden

big, smooth, elegant. super good.

big, smooth, elegant. super good.

1 person found it helpfulApr 11th, 2015
Nicholas Saavedra

Lucky enough to allocate some of this craft vino. Excited for the years to come. Definitely on the heavier side but oh so nice to drink.

Lucky enough to allocate some of this craft vino. Excited for the years to come. Definitely on the heavier side but oh so nice to drink.

1 person found it helpfulMar 28th, 2015
Travis White

Lovely in the mouth. Stunning on the finish. Jesse Katz is a star.

Lovely in the mouth. Stunning on the finish. Jesse Katz is a star.

1 person found it helpfulJan 11th, 2015