Southern Oregon Malbec, made in Ashland.

Argentina gets the credit; Medford grows the wine. Rogue Valley Malbec leans into what Southern Oregon does best: ripe, structured fruit with enough acid to keep dinner interesting. Daisy Creek, Padigan, and Dana Campbell vineyards all contribute fruit that produces blackberry and plum at the front, a thread of cocoa through the middle, and tannins that argue politely.

Our Malbecs have been awarded — we didn't ask for it, but we'll take it. The bottles are available in the Ashland tasting room at 322 N Pioneer St, or via Vinoshipper if you're outside driving distance. Southern Oregon Malbec ships to 44 states, fixed-rate in Oregon, California, and Washington.

If you're skeptical about Oregon Malbec, the Rogue Valley will fix that. Warmer and longer-hang than the Willamette Valley, with the kind of daytime heat that pushes the grape into its best register. Come in, pour a glass, change your assumptions.