John Danielson proves with this small lot of Malbec that the trendy Bordeaux variety made famous in Argentina can also thrive in the high-elevation region of Idaho’s Snake River Valley. These two barrels came from Arena Valley Vineyard near Parma, the estate site for Snake River Winery. A sniff brings in a fruit-forward nose of dark black cherry, boysenberry, huckleberry, strawberry Jolly Rancher candy and white pepper. Next comes a core of ripe huckleberry, blueberry and Marionberry flavors, backed with pomegranate acidity that continues to lift the fruit as the tannins and barrel influence stay in the background. The U-50 are Vale club wines with sales limited to the Hat Ranch Winery tasting room on the Sunnyslope Trail.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 48 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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