Kind Stranger Alter Red Wine 2020, Benton City, Washington

2020 vintage: 74% Aquilini & Freewater Rocks Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Weinbau Vineyard Malbec, 12% Freewater Rocks Vineyard Syrah. Blending is nothing if not an excercise in change, creating a new sum. The parts here are three varietals from outstanding vineyard sites to produce this robust Washington red. Cabernet vines grown in the basalt derived gravel of Red Mountain give excellent depth of fruit and ample structure, with a touch of earthy Freewater Rocks. Weinbau Malbec brings concentration, spice notes, and fruity volume to the palate. Funky Freewater Syrah layers on dark-fruited intrigue and breadth to the finish. Label artwork is by Kris Chau, based on a work titled, “Alter of Labor + Love.” “We’re inspired by taking the name KIND STRANGER quite literally and turning toward others around us. We’ve seen our national landscape shift over the last few years and we feel it’s as important as ever to be a real kind stranger in the world. Proceeds from this wine benefit Mary’s Place at the local level here in Seattle and the International Rescue Committee on a broader scale, please click the links to see the important work they do.”