Novelty Hill 2013 Stillwater Creek Vineyard Malbec, Columbia Valley, $28
One of Washington’s most storied winemakers, Mike Januik, continues to showcase Tom Alberg’s acclaimed site on the Royal Slope and its work with one of the state’s hottest varieties. A 20-month program with French and American barrels, 43% of them new, account for a pleasing aromatic profile of dark toast, black cherry and blueberry backed by vanilla, chocolate, coffee and wet stone. It’s plummy and chocolaty on the palate with black currant skin tannins and a long, juicy finish of blueberry.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 379 cases
Alcohol: 14.4%
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