West Coast American Malbec launched with a strong note on Monday, with a review of the 2018 Lagana Eritage from Walla Walla. From there we went south to California for a 2018 Paso Robles. Today, we set the controls a few hundred miles north, and a year later for a Southern Oregon Rogue Valley selection from Peter William. I do not know Peter William personally, but I am hoping he makes a good Malbec. Let’s see what it’s like.
Nose: Come in bright and mildly astringent with a dominant citrus (orange?) note. A second and third pass reveal some tobacco leaf, some melon, and fresh ground coffee. A little bit time in the glass pulls out mild stone fruit, which serves to amplify the less citrusy elements.
Palate: As advertised on the nose, but there’s sweeter fruit throughout. It’s approachable with a nice texture. The citrus pops a bit at first but the plum keeps it from being too pronounced. Decent body.
Finish: Medium to short. The tobacco and coffee come to the fore with the fruit influence in the background. It develops and turns slightly bitter at the end but doesn’t veer off course into offensive or astringent waters. Thankfully, the bitterness recedes in quick order.
A bit shaky in the legs, and I’m wondering if it could stand another year or two in storage to work out its growth.
$33