Best Buy! A big reason that a handful of wineries operating on the eastern side of the Cascades are operating tasting rooms in the Willamette Valley is because sometimes Pinot Noir consumers seek a change of pace. Cottage Grove winemaker Aaron Lieberman wanted to branch out a bit, too, so he worked with Rogue Valley sites Folin Vineyards and Cliff Creek Cellars’s Sams Valley Vineyards to create a tasty, inexpensive — and impressive — red blend. Judging at the Platinum is not conducted by price, so this blend of Cabernet Franc (50%), Malbec (32%) and Merlot got tasted alongside others costing more than twice the price. Violets, rose hips and cherry pipe tobacco hint at the Franc, leading to suave flavors of cherry compote, dark plum and dried herbs. It’s a bright, balanced and nicely priced table wine. Qualifying award: Sunset International (gold)
Rating: Double Platinum • 96 points
Production: 510 cases
Alcohol: 13.9%
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