Last fall, Rob and Donna Mellison were awarded five Platinums during Great Northwest Wine’s annual judging of gold-medal winners. Their 2018 Malbec from Ed Kelly’s vineyard was among those winners, so it’s no surprise to see the follow-up vintage showing so well so early. And here’s another example of this juicy Bordeaux variety growing so deliciously in the Royal Slope. The Mellisons have a track record of embracing the Icône Elegance Seguin Moreau barrels for their Malbec program, and this exudes similar opulence in the nose of Mounds bar, roasted filbert skins and black cherry. Decadent dark purple fruit, toast and cocoa powder are carried along by a balanced structure that finishes brightly with a squirt of orange oil. The Mellisons suggest serving this with a spicy beef empanada that’s covered with cotija cheese and fresh diced jalapeño.
Rating: Outstanding! 92 points
Production: 150 cases
Alcohol 14.2%
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