Indian Creek Winery 2012 Isabelle My Best Friend Malbec, Snake River Valley, $22
One of the most charming fundraising stories in the Idaho wine industry is Indian Creek Winery’s relationship with the Idaho Humane Society. Each year, the Stowe and McClure families allow the label space for their Malbec to be auctioned off at the Humane Society’s annual Lawn Party Fundraiser, and the top bidder wins the right to have a photo of their top dog to grace the bottle. This time, it is a schnauzer named Isabelle, and Mike McClure sources from Arena Valley and Sawtooth vineyards for the juice. A sniff brings a fruit-forward profile of huckleberry, Western serviceberry, plum and blueberry. That puts you on the trail of more plum, huckleberry and blueberry as elegant acidity lifts the fruit, which is finished with a pinch of black pepper.
Rating: Recommended
Production: 150 cases
Alcohol: 13%
Charles Humble says
I love Malbecs and have been looking for a list for a list of NW candidates for our wine club tasting. I wish there was a way to print your fantastic articles. If there is and I just overlooked it, please let me know.