This week we are going to revisit two excellent summer alternatives to our lovely white wines- the 2022 Rosé and the 2021 Pinot Noir.

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2022 Rosé of Cinsault-Mourvèdre. The ‘22 Rosé once again features Cinsault from the Wallula Gap (The Benches) Vineyard, terraced scenically above the Columbia River. Cinsault grapes are large, juicy, thin skinned and dark purple (they look like large black table grapes!) which produce a lovely Provincial-style Rosé with notes of fresh strawberries and delicate spices of rhubarb.

This year, John blended 62% Cinsault with 38% Mourvèdre from Shaw Ridge Vineyard near the top of Red Mountain. Shaw Ridge is the vineyard project John planted along with owners Dick and Wendy Shaw and vineyard manager Marshall Edwards and JM has an exclusive long-term contract sourcing all three Rhone varietals grown on this spectacular site. The steep rocky, thirty-six-degree site is producing premium fruit with stunning minerality. The minerality of the Shaw Ridge Mouvèdre lends a stony freshness to the Rosé, noticeably dancing on your tongue. Sweet florals, a delicate acidity, essence of citrus fruit, and mildly spicy herbal aromas make the Mouvèdre the perfect partner to the Cinsault. In the glass, the ’22 Rose is the loveliest of peachy-pink hues beckoning the arrival of patio season. Raise a glass and taste for yourself what makes the 2022 Rosé of Cinsault-Mourvèdre a standout among its peers and a “must have” JM favorite. Makes a PERFECT gift for any occasion!

Our 2021 Pinot Noir hails from the beautiful Doña Margarita Vineyard in the Sonoma Coast AVA- that’s right, these spectacular Pinot Noir grapes come to us from California, giving John the distinction of being one of the only WA winemakers currently producing a California Pinot.

John’s inspiration to begin making this Pinot Noir in 2020 came from Tommy, who was working down in California for the prestigious Napa Valley Reserve. The Reserve had sourced Pinot from Doña Margarita and Tommy found out that there was a rare opportunity to contract for grapes from this Sonoma Coast vineyard which lies just 6 miles from the Pacific Ocean. At harvest, these are typically the first fruit to arrive to us. The grapes  are picked and immediately shipped on a refrigerated truck to us at JM Maltby.

The 2021 Pinot Noir, the second vintage of JM's Pinot project, features aromas and flavors of strawberry and raspberry with subtle vanilla and oak spice notes. Our Pinot was made with clone 115, one of the original Pinot Noir plants from Dijon, France. Like the first 2020 vintage, JM's 2021 Pinot Noir was carefully destemmed and foot-stomped, then divided into two different vessels for fermentation (oak tank and clay amphora) for 8 months. The wine pairs beautifully with so many dishes but especially the lighter fare we enjoy in the summer like grilled fish and asparagus, fresh corn, and it has a refreshing fruit forward and aromatic character that sips delightfully on a patio or outdoor venue. The Pinot, while perfect by itself at room temperature, also is fantastic slightly chilled - a great addition to your summer sippers!

We're thrilled to share theses two beautiful wines with you. Happy sipping & cin cin!