àMaurice Cellars 2009 Malbec

àMaurice Cellars 2009 Malbec - decanted.

Washington's Best Malbec.

Two weeks a go I visited family on Bainbridge Island. Bainbridge Island is a 30 minute ferry ride from downtown Seattle. I had not visited with my cousin José in three years. To celebrate the occasion I brought a special bottle of wine...àMaurice Cellars 2009 Malbec.

This May I was in Walla Walla for Spring Release weekend. It's the weekend when Walla Walla Wineries celebrate the season and showcase new releases by opening their tasting rooms. While I stopped at several wineries, one of the wineries I visited was àMaurice Cellars - whose winemaker is Anna Schafer. This was my first time at the Walla Walla winery, but not the first time I had met the winemaker. My first meeting with Anna Schafer was at the 2007 Washington Wine Country Grand Gala in Yakima, Washington.

Winemaker Anna Schafer in the tasting room.

In 2007 I wrote, "These are not lazy, rural wines - but big, expressive urban wines, deserving of sunsets reflected off skyscrapers, fine meals in intimate settings and perfect for entertaining your cherished friends." It was my pleasure to visit with Ms. Schafer again. Her intelligence, skill, passion and focus were self-evident to me when I tasted her 2009 Malbec. She put a lot of herself in that wine. Which is the reason I took a bottle with me to share with my cousin. He appreciates great wine too.

Anna knows Malbec. She used to work for winemaker Paul Hobbs of Viña Cobos in Argentina. Argentina has become famous for producing stunning Malbec. So this is the country where she developed her skill working with and passion for Malbec. At first taste, it's obvious how well she knows this varietal. As my cousin and I opened, decanted and then savored the 2009 àMaurice Malbec, we went on and on at how much expression was contained in her wine. He too has had the opportunity to visit with Ms. Schafer. He was equally impressed. Anna does Malbec exceedingly well. The àMaurice Cellars 2009 Malbec is the best Washington Malbec I have ever shared. Go and discover the next great varietal produced in Washington. Strongly recommended.

Decant this wine for the most enjoyment.

2009 Malbec
100% Malbec Columbia Valley AVA Gamache Vineyard
Closure: Natural cork
Retail: $35
Cases produced: 324
Purchase direct from the winery.

àMaurice Cellars
Tasting Room Hours: Friday 1:00 - 5:00 and Saturdays 10:30 – 4:30 or by appointment.
178 Vineyard Lane
Walla Walla, WA 99362
509-522-544
www.amaurice.com
twitter: @amauricecellars

Cheers!

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