In 1999, when Dr. Bob Jankelson seriously considered wine grapes for his property above the south shore of Lake Chelan, one expert warned him only Riesling and Gewürztraminer would survive. A quarter of a century later, Tsillan Cellars has won 36 Platinum Awards. Five of those have been Riesling, including the highest-ranked Riesling of the tasting. Aromas of dried apricot, … [Read more...] about Tsillan Cellars 2021 Estate Dry Riesling, Lake Chelan $28
Koenig Vineyards NV Riesling Ice Wine, Snake River Valley $30
One of the premier examples of ice wine produced in the Pacific Northwest — particularly in the U.S — continues to come from the cellar of Koenig Vineyards in Caldwell, Idaho, and nearby Williamson Vineyards. These two Snake River Valley farming families partner on many projects, and while 93% of this is ice wine from the 2021 vintage, the blending trials for the traditional … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards NV Riesling Ice Wine, Snake River Valley $30
Jones of Washington 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley $15.99
Best Buy! For the second time this decade, Victor Palencia has produced a Platinum with Sauvignon Blanc for the Jones family. And this three-time qualifier proved to be the highest- rated Sauv Blanc of this year’s judging. It’s redolent of tangerine, nectarine and honeydew melon with a pinch of cinnamon toast as a blend of pink raspberry and white peach impart a bit of … [Read more...] about Jones of Washington 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley $15.99
Spoiled Dog Winery 2020 Estate Pinot Noir, Puget Sound $42
The Krug family and its Spoiled Dog project have been on quite a run, earning at least one Platinum in each of the past seven years. Eight of their career 19 Platinums have been for Pinot Noir, but none has ranked as high as this 2020 Estate. A selection of their seven organically farmed clones, which spend time in new French oak, yields a wine effusive with raspberry, … [Read more...] about Spoiled Dog Winery 2020 Estate Pinot Noir, Puget Sound $42
Hightower Cellars 2020 Merlot, Red Mountain $38
The Hightowers have racked up seven Platinums in the past four years, and three of their 11 career Platinums have been for Merlot. Historically, they’ve leaned on clone 15 fruit from their estate vineyard for the standalone bottlings of Merlot, which they first made in 2000. It’s fabulous and fun from start to finish in its theme of strawberry compote, cherry blossom and tanned … [Read more...] about Hightower Cellars 2020 Merlot, Red Mountain $38