David Shaw

9.0

Purple, cloudy, dense, high pigment extraction, meatier style here: viscous, blackberry, tobacco leaf, cigar box aromas, similar flavors with light ethanol heat and mint-eucalyptus on the finish, aftertaste. Minimal tannins after three hours decant. — 19 days ago

David Shaw

9.2

Dense purple-red, high pigment extraction. Aromas of black currants, blackberries and white pepper, flavors of blackberries with length, white pepper finish. Slightly tart on initial pour. Still assessing — 2 years ago

David Shaw

9.2

Last bottle of the 2020 vintage, 130 cases made. Orange with a hint of pink, excellent clarity. Floral and stone fruit aromas, subtle. Lactic, citrus and subdued orchard fruit flavor. Some skin astringency on finish but less than you would expect after a 72 cold soak before fermentation in used wood. An orange wine with finesse, or at least a light touch. Refreshing — 2 years ago

Jennifer G

9.1

Obscure purple, strong flavor but quite smooth. Smells of sour cherries. — 7 months ago

David Shaw

9.1

Horse Heaven Hills, 325 cases made. Purple red, moderate pigment extraction. Light herbaceous nose, call it tobacco light. Blackberry flavor with length on initial pour, nice round mouthfeel with fresh blackberry aftertaste. Just a tad tart. Tobacco leaf aftertaste emerges after 20 minutes with some fine seed bitterness. I might have popped this one open too early as it’s got plenty of tannins for further aging. Still, it’s got fruit to spare… — a year ago

David Shaw

9.1

Ah, summer… — 3 years ago

David Shaw

9.1

Second encounter with this vintage. Paired well with steamed fish, ginger and olive paste with a side of veggie stir fry. Side project: propagating rosemary for a pot of culinary flavor magic. Perhaps we’re becoming Roman… — 3 years ago

David Shaw

9.1

Last bottle of the vintage. Pity, that… — 10 months ago

David Shaw

9.2

Such a fragrant wine on the initial pour: raspberry, cherry, blackberry, white pepper and herbs! Similar flavors, fine weight seed tannins on finish that bring out a white pepper aftertaste. Length of red fruit, herbs and the depth of white pepper, black pepper and phenol and wood in the finish. Lovely wine for such a dreadful year. After an hour, tart red plum and a light cola note emerge. — a year ago

David Shaw

9.0

337 cases made, 75% Wallula Vineyard Malbec (clone 9), 25% Champoux Vineyard Malbec (clone 4). Purple, highly extracted, unfined and unfiltered but very good clarity considering. Blackberry and plum on the nose, wood, blackberry and black currant in the mouth. Some skin astringency on finish with muddy seed tannins on initial pour. Decanting. 24 hours later, plum flavor with undertones of cherry, raspberry and even a touch of cranberry. There’s also a hint of tobacco in there, with some muddy seed tannins for texture, but much subdued versus the initial pour. Good value, fairly fruit forward, and distinct from your typical Malbec from Argentina, for instance. — 2 years ago