Our ranks fluctuate depending on the internal level of interest and external life priorities. We started with six and now six months into the voyage our numbers have been reduced by half. But sally forth we shall, hoping that we find like-minded travelers who have an interest in semi-anonymously reviewing Malbec wines and suggested obscure albums to pair them.
We also try to run the whole spectrum here: domestic versus international, budget versus budget-buster, blend vs 100%, etc. Lately, the focus has been on the west coast stateside, and we carry on with this latest bottle from Washington's Columbia Valley.
On the nose, there's a surprisingly bold meld of raspberry and herbaceous notes running into dark fruit and just a hint of flower. The minimal acidity pushes up the bright raspberry and a hint of orange that lingers about on the finish forever but gently concludes with zero unwelcome behavior. A very precise and balanced bottle that never relents from the fruit, but is balanced well with the earthier notes.
Expensive? At $45, damn right. But if it's for a nice night in or a special occasion this could be worth it. Only 326 cases were produced, so if you want it? There it is. Go and get it. But you better hurry 'cause it's going fast.