Milbrandt Vineyards 2011 Brothers’ Blend, Columbia Valley, $17
Columbia Basin brothers Butch and Jerry Milbrandt created this bottling as an any-night-wine to serve with a broad range of foods, and winemaker Joshua Maloney’s skill takes it up a notch. The blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (25%), Syrah (24%), Merlot (17%), Malbec (15%), Grenache (10%) and Tempranillo begins with hints of chocolate chip cookie, raspberry syrup and brambleberry leaf. It turns to boysenberry syrup and wild strawberry on the palate with pleasing slaty tannins and balanced acidity. They suggest trying this with pasta puttanesca, pizza, burgers or steak. This won best red wine at the 2014 Seattle Wine & Food Experience.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 7,900 cases
Alcohol: 13.5%
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