.png)
MALBEC
Violet dusk in glass,
Rain-soaked earth, wild fruit and fire—
Mountains breathe their wine.
Body: Medium to Full
Flavors: Red Plum, Blackberry, Vanilla, Tobacco, Cocoa
Primary Aromas: Dark Fruits, Floral, Spice and Herb, Earthy
Sweetness: Dry
Tannins: Moderate to High, but usually smooth and ripe
Acidity: Medium, but very region dependent. PNW Malbecs tend to be more acidic
VIP Regions: France, Argentina and PNW
Food Parings: Think grilled red meats, amazing with blue cheese, smoky dishes, comfort foods, BBQ, and wild mushrooms.
FEATURED WINES
).png)
2022 Abacela Malbec- Umpqua Valley AVA, Southern Oregon A strong Southern Oregon Malbec, priced around $32 for the 2022 vintage. Their notes highlight blackberries, chocolate, oak and dried lavender. What you’ll taste: Wild berry fruit, chocolate/cocoa, aromatic flourish of dried lavender or subtle florals, earthy spice. Regional note: Umpqua’s convergence of mountain ranges + good diurnal shifts gives Malbec a distinctive herb/flower/earth edge compared to hotter sites.
2019 Malbec Stoneridge Vineyard- Wahluke Slope WA From the warm, sunny Wahluke Slope AVA in Washington, this 100% Malbec (aged 22 months in French oak) features dark fruit, smooth tannins and an elegant structure from low‐yield vines Shows how a warmer PNW site pushes Malbec into rich fruit and polished texture — pretty accessible but still distinctive.
2020 Black Goat Winery Malbec- Columbia Valley, Washington A boutique example (hand-picked grapes from Prosser, Washington) that emphasizes a more “old‐world” take: “raspberry rhubarb, leather and tobacco… mild tannin structure and light peppery finish” from their barrels-aged Malbec. What you’ll taste: Bright red/dark fruit (raspberry/rhubarb), savory leather/tobacco, pepper finish, slightly more restrained fruit. Regional note: This style shows how Washington Malbec can echo old-world textures (less jammy, more savory) when the winemaker leans in that direction
PNW Regions and Expressions
