Comments on: Wine Tasting Dinner: Washington Malbec

By: Kori

Kori — Fri, 07 May 2010 22:34:21 +0000

Dr. Shearer,
We have found excellent Malbecs from both Argentina and Washington State. If you are looking for less expensive bottles, you might be interested in the wine tasting dinner we had featuring Argentine Malbec: http://winepeeps.com/2008/06/18/wine-tasting-dinner-argentine-malbec/. I must disagree with your statement that “the trouble with WA State’s wines is that most are far too pricey.” That is simply not true. Many Washington wines deliver great QPR, across varietals, particularly compared to California and France. Cheers!

By: Dr. Douglas S. Shearer

Dr. Douglas S. Shearer — Thu, 06 May 2010 05:08:59 +0000

The 2007 Gilbert Cellars Malbec is not bad….BUT FOR THE PRICE OF $26/bottle…it is way overpriced! One can get great Argentina Malbecs for 8-10 bucks less a bottle and from wines.com. The trouble with WA states wines…is that most are far too pricey..and the profuse statements made about them…way too pompous! Heck…go to Costco…and for 18 bucks you can buy a great Malbec.

By: Kori

Kori — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:47:56 +0000

Margot,

I have not tried the Woodhouse Malbec. Thanks for the recommendation; I will be on the lookout for the next release. Happy New Year!

By: Margot

Margot — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 21:48:47 +0000

Hi Kori,
I’m a big fan of Gilbert’s wines — the Malbec, Claret and especially the Cab. Another great Malbec- quite smoky- is from Woodhouse Famly Cellars — Kennedy Shah Malbec. The latest vintage (2003) is sold out, but keep your eye out for the next release.

Happy New Years to all of you!
Cheers,
Margot

By: AWToday 25/12/08 « AWToday

AWToday 25/12/08 « AWToday — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 05:24:14 +0000

[...] Wine Peeps: A Wine Blog » Wine Tasting Dinner: Washington Malbec You may remember that we tasted Argentine Malbec in June. While Malbec has become the signature grape in Argentina and is also used as a blending grape in Bordeaux and Bordeaux-style blends, I believe that it is on the cusp of becoming … Wine Peeps – http://winepeeps.com/ [...]

By: Kori

Kori — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 23:07:11 +0000

Sean,

I agree that it will be interesting to see what happens with some of these currently low production varietals in the future. I think that Washington is in a unique position because it can do so many varietals well. As for a signature varietal for the state, we probably tasted more good Washington Syrah than any other varietal this year. More than likely, though, individual AVAs within the state will settle upon a signature varietal rather than the state as a whole. Red Mountain does the Bordeaux varietals extremely well. Wahluke Slope produces excellent Syrah, etc.

Wishing you and yours a very Happy Holidays!

By: Sean Sullivan

Sean Sullivan — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 20:52:08 +0000

Kori,

This sounds like a fun tasting. I love the Saviah and Gilbert Malbecs as well. I have been planning to check out the Substance Malbec but haven’t gotten to it yet. I agree that this varietal is getting a lot of attention in the state lately. Interestingly, there has also been a lot of experimentation with the Italian varietals as well. Wine Press NW did a nice review of some of these wines in their Fall 2008 issue which you probably have seen already but I will include the link here for your readers (http://www.winepressnw.com/fall08/story/2247.html). Unfortunately, as the article indicates, most of these are low production wines – as the malbecs are – so can be difficult to find outside of the tasting room. Still, it will be interesting to see what happens with these varietals in the future. Over time, Washington has been known for: Riesling (first and still), Merlot, and, increasingly, Cabernet. However, there has yet to be one true red varietal that is associated with Washington state the way Cabernet is for California or Malbec is for Argentina or Pinot Noir is for Oregon. Perhaps this is because the soil and geography of Washington can do so many varietals so well. Still, many continue the search for that one varietal that unambiguously expresses the terroir and says Washington state. It will be interesting to see where it goes. Best wishes to you and your family for the holidays.