Malbec in WA state: it's really THAT good

[Jenise]

The article below by Washington's most expert wine guy, Andy Perdue, mentions a Malbec from Col Solare that he tasted at an event last year. I was actually one of the people in that room, and he doesn't exaggerate the absolute dumbfounded are-you-f--ing-kidding-me amazement experienced by all when we poked our noses in that glass of wine. An notable Oregon winemaker playfully offered to trade his winery for just a case of it. None of us had ever tasted anything like it.

That and a few other instances since have had me paying lots of attention to a grape I was actually convinced I didn't care much for. For instance, one tasted at Obelisco winery (highly recommend their tasting room in Woodinville) which Andy also recommends. A good, quick read:

http://www.seattletimes.com/pacific-nw-magazine/washingtons-newest-wine-star-is-malbec-a-grape-of-little-importance-in-california-and-france/

"Malbec is of little importance in France"..quote. The writer has to be kiddin`.
I would like to put a Washington Malbec up against Achaval-Ferrer from Argentina. Have a feeling I know who will be the winner!

"Malbec is of little importance in France"..quote. The writer has to be kiddin`.
I would like to put a Washington Malbec up against Achaval-Ferrer from Argentina. Have a feeling I know who will be the winner!

I'm continually amazed at the ignorance of so many "experts" about Cahors, of which that quote is a good example. The great Robert Parker despises it. It was historically one of the most important wine areas in France until the 19th century known for its Black Wine partly because of Malbec's ability to resist oxidation and it has been enjoying a spectacular renaissance for about the last 20 years. Cahors has a leaner texture, fresher and more structured style than most Argentinian Malbec with less crowd pleasing sweet fruit but I, for one, prefer it to most of the latter which come my way. I've never had Achaval-Ferrer or Washington state Malbec so I can't comment on those.

PS: I found one Wine Searcher hit for Achaval-Ferrer's wines in France at prices ranging from €25 to €93 Sellers offering "foreign" wines in France always seem to charge mind-boggling prices for them. I wonder who bothers to buy. A German web seller is offering A-F's entry level wine for c.€14 - that's more like it .

I thought Paul Gregutt was the "expert" on Wash. state wine?

I've had malbecs from Seven Hills, Kerloo and Flying Trout that I liked very much. Far better than any I've had from Argentina, though that may be an apples to oranges comparison, since the only South Americans I've had have been cheapo mass-produced bottlings. Certainly, in the hands of the right winemaker, the grape can do very good things out there.

[Jenise]

"Malbec is of little importance in France"..quote. The writer has to be kiddin`.
I would like to put a Washington Malbec up against Achaval-Ferrer from Argentina. Have a feeling I know who will be the winner!

I totally missed that statement in my first read of the article. Pretty ridiculous statement, so I went back to the article and asked him to explain that. Will report back if he answers.

[Jenise]

I thought Paul Gregutt was the "expert" on Wash. state wine?

Paul's a critic, or was until he quit in order to market his own wine. But I don't think he's as geeky as Andy who writes for his own on-line publication about Northwest wines. Of course, that's just my impression.

for what it's worth, I had a Malbec from Lo-Fi winery in Santa Barbara County, CA, that was magnificent. More along the lines of Loire-origin Cot, really pretty, with very suave and charming tannins. Tremendous stuff.

[David M. Bueker]

The Lagier Meredith Malbec is an outstanding bottle of wine, and does not get the massive over oaking that most Argentinian Malbecs get.

[Jenise]

The Lagier Meredith Malbec is an outstanding bottle of wine, and does not get the massive over oaking that most Argentinian Malbecs get.

The Argentines aren't just routinely over-oaked, they go for heavily toasted oak (my least favorite thing).

[Jenise]

Just, on a whim, took a look at Winebid to see how malbecs fare in the resale market. Was quite surprised to see some Sonoma Malbecs in the $160+ range (specifically, a label called Devil's Proof) and Argentinians in the $115 area that weren't even the upper end Archaval Ferrers.