2021 Cuervo Malo Dessert Wine

2021 Lodi Dessert Wine

A rich, soulful blend of Touriga Nacional, Tinta Cão, and Sezão — this dessert wine is all about depth and patience. Aged for four years in barrel and hand-bottled, it’s a true passion project.

Deep garnet in color, it pours smooth and full-bodied, with just enough warmth from its 17.5% alcohol to wrap you up. Think dark berries, black cherry, a touch of baking spice, and a hint of dried fig — all layered into a velvety finish that hangs on just long enough.

It’s the kind of wine you sip slow — perfect after dinner, with chocolate, blue cheese, or roasted nuts. A small-batch release that blends Old World charm with Lodi’s easygoing California vibe.

The name: Cuervo Malo (Bad Crow)

The 2021 harvest was a battle from start to finish. I spent the season chasing off crows and sparrows with brooms, draping nets over the vines, and setting up scarecrows — but those birds were relentless. Despite their best efforts to claim the fruit for themselves, I managed to save just enough grapes for a single barrel. That small lot, crafted entirely by hand, has been quietly aging for four years — a reminder of a tough season that turned into something truly special.