Cornell grad Joshua Maloney’s background in Washington state includes a long list of acclaimed red wines for behemoths Chateau Ste. Michelle and the Milbrandt brothers, but his young eponymous project is tiny and focused. The latest in his single-vineyard series highlights the work of viticulturist Damon Lalonde and Scooteney Flats, a site established in 2007 on Red Mountain. They tailored this lot to be taken on Oct. 3 – a hang to nearly 26 Brix during a hot vintage in arguably Washington’s warmest growing area. He devoted 21 months in two new barrels of Tonnellerie Le Grand Rive Droite, which helped make for dark and penetrating aromas of muscovado sugar and vanilla leading into a mix of blackberry milkshake, dark chocolate cordial cherry and herbal tea earthiness. On the palate, it’s bold yet bright featuring a blend of blueberry and chocolate-coverage pomegranate. A firm and long handshake of tannin leads out with more vanilla and cherries. Sales of these wines are limited to the Maloney Wine mailing list.
Rating: Outstanding!
Production: 71 cases
Alcohol: 15%
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