One of the Northwest’s top producers of proprietary blends is the one behind the Best Red Blend of the 2022 Platinum, and Woodinville’s Brian Carter used his Right Bank-Bordeaux expression to achieve such excellence. He leaned on Tedd Wildman’s StoneTree Vineyard near the top of the warm Wahluke Slope for much of this blend of Merlot (61%), Cabernet Sauvignon (16%), Cabernet Franc (11%), Malbec (8%) and Petit Verdot. Other contributors included Olsen and Dineen vineyards in the Yakima Valley and E&E Shaw — a Red Mountain site recently purchased by Tinte Cellars. There’s amazing freshness to the nose of blackberry and Montana huckleberry that gradually releases notes of dried herbs, black olive and oak nuances. Inside, there’s boysenberry and blueberry with a remarkable note of pie cherry for brightness and finish of black licorice. “It’s really balanced, extremely complex and so solid from front to end,” said one judge. “Keep opening bottles of this over the years and you will be really happy.” Qualifying award: Seattle Wine Awards (gold)
Rating: Double Platinum — 98 points
Production: 448 cases
Alcohol: 14.4%
Leave a Reply