Columbia Crest Reserve Malbec – Deliciousness Defined

The Columbia Crest Reserve Malbec, a surprising Saturday Splurge from Washington.

88% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc and 7% Cabernet Sauvignon from the Andrews and Rowell Vineyard, the Beverly Vineyard and the Stone Tree Vineyard in the Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley, Washington. The wine spends 18 months in 100% new French and American oak barrels.

The Columbia Crest Reserve Malbec has an SRP of $35 (Saturday Splurge) and is available at that price. Only 325 cases produced. Sample submitted for review.

From the bottle:

Malbec is often associated with Argentina, but it is actually native to France. Although limited in acreage, it grows extremely well in Washington State. This thick skinned grape is esteemed for its inky-red color, with plum, blueberry, and currant flavors. Sourced from some of our finest sites in the Horse Heaven Hills, our Malbec is dense and concentrated with polished tannins and a soft, velvety mouth feel.

14.5% Alcohol

Today’s wine was our first experience with the Reserve line from Columbia Crest. And while we certainly are not unfamiliar with Malbec from Washington State, we were still surprised to see a Reserve Malbec as this is not a varietal you find a lot of in this area. After tasting it, we understand why it’s there!

The 2012 Columbia Crest Reserve Malbec begins with an intoxicating, inviting and downright amazing aroma full of plum, black cherry, blackberry, vanilla, chocolate and more. It’s a perfect combination. Tasting the wine shows it to be smooth with super rich dark fruit and the just the right complement of oak and spice. (My exact tasting notes used the phrase “a boatload of deliciousness” to describe this wine.) It makes a wonderful burger wine, we paired it with takeout from Smashburger, but it can go much more upscale as well. It ends dry and dusty with very good length. I dare you not to drink the whole bottle!

See a listing of local retailers selling the Columbia Crest Reserve Malbec here.