Barrister Winery NV Rough Justice Red Wine, Columbia Valley, $23

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It’s a rather remarkable logistical effort for attorneys Greg Lipsker and Michael White to create the Rough Justice each year at their winery in downtown Spokane’s Entertainment District. However, the sources for their flagship wine help explain the success they achieve year after year. Their latest blend leads with Merlot (39%) and includes Syrah (24%), Cabernet Sauvignon (18%) and Cabernet Franc (16%) from historic vineyards such as Bacchus, Dionysus, Dwelley, Kiona, Pepper Bridge and Weinbau. Gentle vibrations in the barrel room that come from the traffic of 25,000 train trips across the trestle that’s a stone’s throw from the Railroad Avenue production facility play a significant role in winemaker Tyler White’s cellar. The result is a theme of dark cherry, plum and raspberry, providing a rewarding fruit-forward wine that achieves balance with oak, acidity, tannin and alcohol. Judges at the 2017 Washington State Wine Competition ruled that this Rough Justice deserved a gold medal.

Rating: Outstanding!

Production: 2,300 cases

Alcohol: 14.9%

Winery website

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