Larry Oates’ winery overlooks the Yakima River not far upstream from Benton City, Wash., and his grapes come from a stone’s throw away across the road. He takes the fruit for his pink Malbec about a month prior to his cellar-worthy reds, and he stays away from oak, too. That accounts for brilliant magenta hue and aromas of dusty cherry, strawberry and white pepper. The drink is filled with Rainier cherry and plum juice flavors that play well with the dry approach (0.5% residual sugar) and ample acidity. This earned a silver medal at the 2014 Capital Food and Wine Festival Wine Competition.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 46 cases
Alcohol: 13.4%
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