Washington Malbec on the rise

It would have been difficult to imagine five years ago that Washington Malbec would be propelled onto the global wine stage today.

Yet, here we are with more than 100 wineries producing Malbec from Washington grapes. Some are doing so with quality that can competeswith the best from Argentina.

And Washington hasn’t really dedicated itself to the grape, not as Argentina has. Instead, Cabernet Sauvignon has emerged as the state’s top grape. Certainly, plantings of Malbec are picking up, and we’re starting to understand the best places to grow Malbec in the vast and arid Columbia Valley. Our winemakers are understanding when to harvest the grape and how to handle it in the cellar better with each passing vintage.

Here are 12 delicious and distinctive Washington Malbecs we have tasted in recent weeks. Ask for them at the wineries or from you’re favorite wine merchant.