2016 Gamache Vineyard Malbec

92 Points

Bright saturated ruby. Vivid, very pure scents of blackberry, blueberry, black pepper, licorice, fresh herbs and violet. Then surprisingly pliant in the mouth, conveying a lovely spicy sweetness and a fine, tight grain to its intense dark berry and pepper flavors. Not quite as black as the nose suggests but still a dark style of Malbec enlivened by harmonious acidity. This terrific Malbec tightened up in the glass without losing its essential pliancy suggesting that it needs to be held for at least a couple years. Anna Schafer spent some time working on Argentina early in her career and this wine is one of the finest examples of Malbec I have tasted to date from Washington.

- Stephen Tanzer