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Brian Carter Cellars 2012 Opulento, Yakima Valley, $40

By on April 7, 2015

brian-carter-cellars-opulento-2012-labelWine Press Northwest’s reigning Washington Winery of the Year names its Port-style wine after the Portuguese term for opulent, and the Woodinville winery’s namesake vintner keeps his focus on Port varieties. Touriga Naçional (58%), Souzao (21%), Tinta Roriz (11%) and Tinta Cão from Upland and Lonesome Springs vineyards spent 18 months in French barriques that were mostly neutral. It’s a rich, deep and intense take on dessert with qualities of poached plum, dark cherry and raisin, joined by mocha powder and fresh-baked brownies. The alcohol is well-integrated and there’s a hint of dried cranberry in the finish to accent the residual sugar of 10%. It picked up a silver medal at the 2015 Seattle Wine and Food Experience Wine Awards.

Rating: Excellent

Production: 244 cases

Alcohol: 18%

Winery website

About Great Northwest Wine

Articles authored by Great Northwest Wine are co-authored by Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue. In most cases, these are wine reviews that are judged blind by the Great Northwest Wine tasting panel.

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