Today we have THREE Malbecs open for tasting – was going to be two, but for the next bit we have some of yesterday’s Malbec that still tasting good.

From France:

2012 Les Fiefs d’Anglars Malbec    ($10)
Vin de Pays du Lot
A great value Malbec from Cahors with good full fruit and scents of red and black fruit, pepper and spices.12.5% alcohol by volume

From Chile:

2013 Echeverria Gran Reserva    ($12)
Malbec
A Chilean Malbec that sets itself off from its Argentinian neighbors. Full and soft plummy fruit, with violet aromas and a smooth round finish.

From Washington State:

2012 Malbec, Estate, Wahluke Slope $20
Aromas of blueberry, plum and violets. Fabulous balance of fruit, tannin and acidity. The flavors roll from blackberries and dark plums to a floral/herbal note of violets and lavender. The well-heeled mouth feel brings a light note of vanilla to the finish. Try this versatile wine with grilled (or plumb) duck, steak, pasta Bolognese, roast turkey, Mexican style chicken mole.   GOLD – North Central Washington Wine awards.

CURRENT SCORE

A little over an hour into the competition – it’s neck-n-neck.

Madrona Wine Merchants offers free wine tastings featuring 4-5 selections on a theme every Saturday from 2 until the bottles run out and on Sunday we offer a mini-tasting of two wines all day from 11-5.