A grape known as ct in the Cahors region of France and made famous by Argentina continues to build support in the Northwest under the name of malbec.
This red Bordeaux variety has become a rising star in many corners of our region the Columbia Valley, Idahos Snake River Valley and Southern Oregon.
Growers love malbec because it ripens ahead of cabernet sauvignon, and consumers have embraced the brightness of its structure. It does not often carry the toothsome tannins associated with merlot and cabernet sauvignon. And yet, malbec offers a rich and bold drink.
As a result, malbec ranks among the most versatile and food-friendly wines that you can bring to the dining table. Tapas? For sure. Densely flavored proteins such as duck, lamb, venison, braised meats and ribs smoked, dry rubbed or saucy. It does not matter. Malbec will marry well.
Because of its name recognition, those broad food applications and the interest by winemakers and consumers, malbec overtook cabernet franc as the fourth-most-harvested red grape in Washington state in the 2019 vintage.
Here are a few stellar examples of malbec that our panels have evaluated in recent months, and they are available at various price points. Ask for them at your favorite wine merchant, or order them directly from the winery.
Canoe Ridge Vineyard 2018 The Expedition Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills, $17: Theres a rich history behind Canoe Ridge Vineyard, which celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2019, but New Zealand-born winemaker Haydn Mouat also can choose from the Benches and Alder Ridge Vineyard when producing CRV for Precept Wine.
This malbecs provenance shows immediately with aromas of dusty minerality, blue fruit, cocoa powder and clove. Theres pleasing density and richness to the dark blue fruit flavors, which roll in black cherry for a seamless and bright package that is capped by a long finish.
Basalt Cellars 2015 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $28: This Lewis-Clark Valley producer made quite an impression at 2019 competitions, and winemaker Rick Wasem worked with Verhey Vineyard in the western edge of Yakima Valley for this malbec. The beautiful nose of blueberry and dusty violets is realized on the palate with elegance and charming structure.
Dussek 2017 Malbec, Columbia Valley, $30: Last fall at the Great Northwest Invitational, Woodhouse Wine Estates in Woodinville earned a double gold medal a unanimous vote for gold by a judging panel for malbec produced under its Dussek tier.
The nose is full of blackberries, black cherry, parsley, river rocks and chocolate-covered espresso beans. In the mouth, it showcases textural heft with tannins that slowly soften along a floral finish.
Weisinger Family Winery 2016 Gold Vineyard Malbec, Rogue Valley, $32: Second-generation winemaker Eric Weisinger works with Randy Golds namesake vineyard near Talent, Oregon, for this deep, dark, delicious and elegant malbec.
Blackberry and black cherry fruit at the core meld in harmoniously with accents of dark chocolate and spice. It is balanced and pure all the way through. Enjoy with chicken in an Asian barbecue sauce.
Seven Hills Winery 2018 McClellan Estate Vineyard Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, $40: The McClellan family pioneered merlot in the Walla Walla Valley, planting 4 acres of it in 1982, and founding winemaker Casey McClellan also was the first in the valley to produce malbec more than 15 years ago.
McClellan established it in McClellan Estate Vineyard in 2008, and his oak program tucks baking spice aromas behind sweet blue fruit. It is deliciously bright and spicy with clove and white pepper from start to finish.
Rocky Pond Winery 2016 Double D Vineyard Malbec, Columbia Valley, $42: Business manager Jonathan Kaczmarek earned a finance degree at the University of Wisconsin before making wine at Seattles Soos Creek. The Northwest Wine Academy product now gets the chance to oversee a few small lots at Rocky Pond for the Dufenhorst family.
Kaczmarek has not lost his touch with this malbec. Fruit is dominant from the fragrant berry aroma to the opulent blueberry, blackberry and plum flavors saturating the palate. Nicely integrated oak, brown sugar and a dusting of sweet herbs completes the lovely package.
Zerba Cellars 2016 Malbec, Walla Walla Valley, $45: Brent Roberts has taken over the reins from Doug Nierman as Cecil Zerbas winemaker, and his work with estate fruit continues in the tradition that helped Zerba Cellars earn Wine Press Northwests 2011 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year Award.
Aromas of dark fruit and hints of toast lead the way to boysenberry jam, ground nutmeg, raspberries and a smoky oak underlay. It is supple and mouth-coating as it heads to a smooth finish.
Eric Degerman operates Great Northwest Wine. Learn more about wine at greatnorthwestwine.com.
Read the original:
Great Northwest Wine: Bright and juicy malbec grows its audience - The Spokesman-Review
- Hang onto your hats--More Redheads RFL Shopping 🙂 - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Why I Relay -- from Daaneth Kivioq - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Two Upcoming Events! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- We had fun AND ... - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Why I Relay -- from Edith Halderman & Envy Watts - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Toga! Toga! We had fun and raised 5k for RFL! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- "Duel of the DJ's" --THIS Sunday, April 19 at 1pm - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Dressing for Relay Events... Lag in Style! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- "Duel of the DJ's" -- TODAY Sun, April 19 at 1pm - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Relay Shopping Made Easy! Our Very Own Store! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- We have a winner! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Not to Miss! Frogg & Jaycatt Saturday at 1pm SLT - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Thank You Frogg, Jaycatt, Lomgren and Luskwood! GO RELAY! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Upcoming Events in Redhead-land - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- In Memory of ... Lachlan Campbell - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- More Goodies in Our RFL Store - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- The BIG Blowout Event! 12-3pm SLT Tomorrow! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- ONE WORLD, ONE HOPE! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- We miss you Fimi! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Redheads Know How To Partay!!! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- We had a BALL! And the SILENT AUCTION continues... - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- RenFaire! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- Rocking With Yahshvah Shinja - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- WOW! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- What a weekend that was! - November 8th, 2009 [November 8th, 2009]
- 2010 Blog! - April 4th, 2010 [April 4th, 2010]
- Brian Scalabrine - The World's Greatest - Video - March 29th, 2012 [March 29th, 2012]
- Red strength hint in caution notice - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Emma Roberts turns heads at Coachella - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Cartoon of the Day: Chelsea's battered bus leaves Terry behind and heads for Munich after rolling over Barcelona - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Kaskade Heads Out On 'Freaks Of Nature' Tour, Gives Us Full-Body Chills (VIDEO) - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Red shirts divided over Prem meet - April 25th, 2012 [April 25th, 2012]
- Snobby Mr. Douchey - Ep: 6 - Video - May 4th, 2012 [May 4th, 2012]
- Ep. 3 MALLSCAPADE: Squaresville (A new free web show about growing up bored in the suburbs) - Video - May 4th, 2012 [May 4th, 2012]
- My Sisters: Problematic to Practically Perfect - Ep: 2 - Video - May 4th, 2012 [May 4th, 2012]
- Backstage Girls- Episode 2: Bobby Brown's Every Little Step - Video - May 4th, 2012 [May 4th, 2012]
- Red Heads for Red Heads with Cornelia Frances for The Orangutan Project - Video - May 4th, 2012 [May 4th, 2012]
- More Theatre of Life: Gay Witchcraft - Video - May 4th, 2012 [May 4th, 2012]
- Asian Red Head - Video - May 4th, 2012 [May 4th, 2012]
- Red Devils baseball team wins play-in game vs. North Sevier, heads to 2A tourney - May 5th, 2012 [May 5th, 2012]
- Ask Nick: Is something wrong with Gonzalez? - May 5th, 2012 [May 5th, 2012]
- Red Bluff Lady Spartans blast Lassen 13-0 - May 5th, 2012 [May 5th, 2012]
- Camelot heads 2,000 Guineas field - May 5th, 2012 [May 5th, 2012]
- Tech baseball heads to College Station for final time - May 5th, 2012 [May 5th, 2012]
- Joe Stortini heads list of local all-state basketball players - May 5th, 2012 [May 5th, 2012]
- 'White Rabbit, Red Rabbit' review: never the same - May 7th, 2012 [May 7th, 2012]
- Red sea of Clippers fans lifts team to win - May 7th, 2012 [May 7th, 2012]
- Reynolds and Hammel carry Orioles past Red Sox 8-2 - May 7th, 2012 [May 7th, 2012]
- Gillard, Abbott promote Red Cross - May 7th, 2012 [May 7th, 2012]
- The Duchess of Cambridge turns heads with glamorous cream dress - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- Royals 4, Red Sox 3: Two out of three is bad - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- The power of a sign - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- Met Ball 2012 Red Carpet: Stars Shine In Metallic Frocks - May 10th, 2012 [May 10th, 2012]
- Morning Mail: Red Sox fan wears bag on head, starts social media storm - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- 'Food Truck Wars' heads for Monmouth Park - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- Obama to talk mortgages in Reno, Romney heads to North Carolina, plus more to watch for this weekend in politics - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- Losing heads while salmon fishing - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- West Ottawa boys track & field wins stunning relay at OK Red meet - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- Sexy Redheads - Video - May 13th, 2012 [May 13th, 2012]
- Red Sox Look to Build Momentum Against Mariners: Fan Preview - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- Red-cockaded woodpecker gets care and protection in Alabama (with video and gallery) - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- Beckett takes Red Sox from Fenway to Bushwood - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- Greek uncertainty leaves US stocks in red - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- Greece Heads Toward New Elections - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- On Soccer: Red Bulls rise to top of Eastern Conference with help from trio of young American defenders - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- Frankel heads Lockinge confirmations - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- Kevin Spacey heads to South Africa for movie project premiere - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- Red Poppy brings new voices to art scene - May 16th, 2012 [May 16th, 2012]
- Gold Heads Into The Red In 2012 - May 17th, 2012 [May 17th, 2012]
- Betty White heads to Washington to see the animals - May 17th, 2012 [May 17th, 2012]
- Outdoors: Losing your heads against fishing rules - May 17th, 2012 [May 17th, 2012]
- Betty White heads to nation's capital to see National Zoo, indulge passion for animal watching - May 17th, 2012 [May 17th, 2012]
- Canadian wave heads to Cannes Film Festival - May 17th, 2012 [May 17th, 2012]
- Pippa Middleton Wears Sexy Red Dress at Scottish Wedding - May 20th, 2012 [May 20th, 2012]
- Touchdowns for a cure - May 20th, 2012 [May 20th, 2012]
- TSX heads higher; Facebook shares rise after delayed start of trading - May 20th, 2012 [May 20th, 2012]
- Woman heads to Uganda to bring cheer to children - May 20th, 2012 [May 20th, 2012]
- World Premiere of Disney•Pixar’s “Brave” Heads to Hollywood for Grand Opening of the Dolby Theatre - May 20th, 2012 [May 20th, 2012]
- Toronto stock market heads higher amid cautious buying at end of bruising week - May 20th, 2012 [May 20th, 2012]
- Red Bluff brings home 11th section title; McColpin throws shutout vs. Wolves - May 20th, 2012 [May 20th, 2012]