Self-taught Mark Lathrop turned his talent and keen investments in Red Mountain fruit into our Washington Winery to Watch Award for 2022. His work with a 2018 Malbec factored into that. Storied grower Dick Shaw, a member of the Washington Wine Hall of Fame, now owns this planting near historic Ciel du Cheval, and the block that Lathrop contracts for — 1 acre cropped to 3 tons in 2020 — continues to prove its prowess with Malbec. Dark fruit and toast notes leap from the glass, where the flavors feature Bing cherry and red plums. There’s vibrant Craisin juiciness and dusty herbs on the midpalate, which lead out with blackberry and black pepper. The Spokane-area winemaker has won 11 Platinums in the past two years — six of them featuring red Bordeaux varieties. And he qualified for the 2023 Platinum Awards with this effort.
Rating: Outstanding! Gold medal — 92 points
Production: 170 cases
Alcohol: 14.5%
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