John Derthick is among the growing community of boutique winemakers in Oregon who reach into Washington’s Yakima and Walla Walla valleys to offer their customers bigger Bordeaux reds alongside their Burgundy-influenced wines. Here, the Carlton vintners pulled Malbec from Birch Creek Vineyard near the Walla Walla Valley town of Milton, Freewater, Ore., and then aged it it for two years in 2-year-old French oak. It comes out offering aromas of a black cherry enrobed in bittersweet chocolate and dusty blueberries. Inside, there’s a yummy entry with more cherry, blueberry and chocolate flavors, framed by refined tannins and burst of pomegranate acidity. These wines are available at grocers such as Fred Meyer, New Seasons, QFC, Thriftway and Whole Foods throughout Portland.
Rating: Excellent
Production: 50 cases
Alcohol: 15.3%
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