VanArnam Vineyards 2013 Malbec, Yakima Valley, $34
Yakima Valley vintner Kent VanArnam continues to release impressive work with red Bordeaux grapes from the 2013 vintage, and the Rattlesnake Hills grower shows a suave touch with one of Washington’s emerging varieties. It’s a fruit-forward version that carries a theme of dark purple fruit akin to blueberry and huckleberry, joined by pipe tobacco and cherry pie. The texture offers juicy acidity and tamed tannins. These wines are available on weekends at his estate tasting room on Gilbert Road in Zillah as well as at the Cellar 55 tasting room in Vancouver, Wash.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 100 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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