The 2017 vintage of Malbec from Josh and Lisa Lawrence in the Columbia Basin topped The Seattle Times list of Northwest wines in 2021, so it was no surprise to see the lofty ranking for their effort from 2019. Chilean winemaker Matías Kúsulas has overseen the vines and the grapes since 2017, and the winemaking process for this three-barrel blend of Scarline and Solaksen vineyards continued a fermentation approach that leans concrete over stainless steel while avoiding oak. That focuses attention on the theme of ripe blackberry and blueberry. They are joined by baking spices, smooth tannins and a finishing burst of plum and Bing cherry juice that adds up to a super complex and varietally spot-on example. The Lawrence family classifies this as a club-only offering, and it’s a worthy enticement.
Rating: Outstanding! Gold medal — 93 points
Production: 70 cases
Alcohol: 14.9%
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