The team of Sonoma-based consultant Michael Sebastiani, owner Robb Bell and the cellar team of Francisco Chairez and Tyler McCafferty have now combined for 13 Platinum winners from our panel in the past three years. Sourcing from acclaimed sites such as Joe Hattrup’s elevated Elephant Mountain in the Yakima Valley has been a key advancement, and this is the Hood River winery’s first Platinum with the muscular red grape native to Rhône. Intense and concentrated helps describe the theme of buttery dark toast, brandied cherries and brambleberry compote, which includes secondary notes of garden spinach, forest floor and sweet hints of basil. Qualifying award: Savor NW (double gold)
Rating: Platinum • 92 points
Production: 200 cases
Alcohol: 14.1%
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