Washington State rivals some of the best of Napa and Sonoma's Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot at very attractive prices. This is not new or surprising. What is a surprise is to find a region with a fairly good representation of straight Malbec wines outside of Argentina.
Mendoza Argentina has co opted this noble grape variety from France where the terroir yields a totally different animal from the old world version of Malbec you find in the "black wine of Cahors" Mendoza has taken what was once a minor blending grape and turned it into a major player in the world of wine. No decent wine shop is without a shelf of Argentine Malbecs. The region lies at the foothills of the Andes where the great peaks cast a rain shadow that contributes to its semi desert climate. Well the Cascade mountains of Washington state cause similar desert conditions for the eastern two thirds of the state. The long dry growing season with hot days and cooler nights allows for the ripening that softens Malbec's dark heart and rough tannins. Malbec is grown just about anywhere the other major Bordeaux varietals are planted (Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot & Petit Verdot) but almost never stands alone as it does so well in Argentina and more recently, in the Pacific Northwest of the United States.
Washington is giving the Argentine's a run for their money. the Columbia Valley does not produce the $10 value bottles you find from Argentina due to economies of scale and production costs in Washington state but for the premium wines at the higher end of the spectrum, Washington state's Malbecs rival the best from Argentine wineries like Catena, Trapiche, Altos de los Hormigas, or Chakana. Our current find is a reserve quality Malbec that we are featuring this week only at a great price:
Waterbrook Malbec Reserve Columbia Valley 2010 click to buy
91 Points - Wine Spectator, Web Only 2013
"Soft and inviting, brimming with plum and currant fruit, with a major hit of black pepper, this comes together deftly as the finish lingers beautifully on the open texture. Drink now through 2018. 1,897 cases made." -Harvey Steiman
read more about what Washington state Malbecs have to offer at these sites:
http://www.greatnorthwestwine.com/2013/10/14/argentina-washington-malbec/
http://wineeconomist.com/2011/04/11/is-malbec-washingtons-next-big-thing/
http://www.greatnorthwestwine.com/2013/08/04/a-dozen-washington-malbecs-to-drink-now/2/
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