The Leutholds have earned an unsurpassed seven Platinum Awards for their Malbec program, starting with the classic 2005 vintage, so it was not surprising to see one of Richard Batchelor’s bottlings finish as the No. 1 wine of this tasting. His winning melange of nearby Gunkel Vineyard (57%), an estate source at the east end of the Columbia Gorge, with Tudor Hills Vineyard in the Yakima Valley spent 18 months in a barrel program of 40% new French oak. That creates a mood of Graham crackers with cherry jam and sweet baking spices. The rich fruit profile on the palate also spoons out blackberry and dark cherry, a sense of savory, and a refocus on the spice blend of cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom. Smooth tannins are joined by a bright squirt of red plum juice to make for a long finish.
Rating: Unanimously Outstanding!
Double gold medal — 96 points
Production: 293 cases
Alcohol: 15%
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