ANIMALE is a very small winery hidden away in the outskirts of pastoral Ballard with an annual production of just around 200 cases. There Matt Gubitosa, winemaker, cellar master and head bottle washer produces his hand-crafted, full-flavored red wines from some of Washington’s lesser known grapes. It is hands on winemaking at its most pure level. His preference for aging in neutral oak barrels accents each varietal’s unique characteristics and lets the wines speak for themselves. Matt will be at the shop Saturday pouring some of his newly released 2010 vintage as well as the scarce 2009 Petitie Sirah (a personal favorite). 2010 was the coolest Washington growing season since 1999. The new wines are balanced, concentrated, nuanced and complex; they exhibit distinctive varietal character Come have a sip.

2010 Cabernet Franc, $25
95% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot
This Cab Franc comes from McIntire Vineyard, a late-harvest vineyard which also provides the grapes for the Petite Sirah. Medium-dark ruby-red color; complex assortment of delicate aromas including fresh cherries with hints of cherry candy, pomegranate, pimento, clove and nutmeg. Medium-bodied, fresh and zesty, with moderate tannins suststained through a long finish. This wine will reward many years of aging, courtesy of the 2010 vintage.

2010 Dolcetto $22
From 24 K vineyard on Waluke Slope, the 2010 Docetto has brilliant, bright purple-black color; complex and spicy aromas of blackberry and freshly-ground peppercorns, with hints of anise, blackcurrant, cola, and wisps of violets and sweet smoke. A zesty, medium-bodied wine with flavors of fresh berries and a soft but lingering finish.

2009 Petite Sirah $26
A standout in the Animale line up, the Petite Sirah has explosive aromas of fresh blackberries, and a hint of menthol. The wine is medium bodied with flavors of ripe plum, berries, and dark chocolate.

2010 Zinfandel $25
76% Zinfandel, 13% Petite Sirah, 6% Mourvedre, 5% Syrah
Who says you can’t get Zinfandel ripe in Washington? Even in the cooler 2010 growing season this Zin out of Prosser has dark red-black color; aromas of fresh raspberries, blackcurrant and plums with hints of white pepper, leather, lemon, grapefruit peel and fresh flowers; rich and full-bodied with citrusy freshness and notes of chocolate and cherry pie.