Best Buy! Second-generation winemaker Natalie Conway-Barnes reached rarified air during our latest judging by scoring a Platinum for the same aromatic variety from the same second-generation vineyard with back-to-back vintages during the same Platinum Awards tasting. The Morrell family has two blocks planted five years apart, and the Spokane Valley winery captures a great deal … [Read more...] about Latah Creek Wine Cellars 2022 Lonesome Spring Vineyard Orange Moscato, Yakima Valley $17
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Jones of Washington 2022 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley $14.99
Best Buy! Victor Palencia’s wizardry with white wines naturally extends to Chardonnay, and his 2022 bottling came in having qualified with a gold medal or better at five regional judgings. This expression reflects a blend of estate fruit from Lauzier Vineyard in the Ancient Lakes with that of Unit 20 on the Wahluke Slope, hence the use of “Columbia Valley” on the bottle. … [Read more...] about Jones of Washington 2022 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley $14.99
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery 2022 Private Reserve Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley $17.99
Best Buy! The brothers received formal education in enology (Walter) and viticulture (Gordon), and they let folks know they take an Italian angle to their Pinot Gris program even though they don’t use Grigio on the label. It opens with Bosc pear, lime, honeysuckle and minerality aromas, and those follow through on the palate. There’s a swabbing of sweetness on the midpalate … [Read more...] about Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery 2022 Private Reserve Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley $17.99
Milbrandt Family Wines NV Lulu Méthode Contemporaine Blanc de Blanc, Washington State $20
Best Buy! Milbrandt-owned Washington Wine Group earned five Platinums in 2023, and all five are priced at $20 or less, including the Lulu sparkling wines. It’s easy to understand why judges in California awarded these Riesling-led bubbles the gold medals that grew into a Platinum. The fine beads send out notes of peach, honeydew melon, honeysuckle, Pink Lady apple and lemon … [Read more...] about Milbrandt Family Wines NV Lulu Méthode Contemporaine Blanc de Blanc, Washington State $20
Jones of Washington 2022 Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley $14.99
Best Buy! For the fifth time in the past decade, the Jones family and Victor Palencia have combined for a Riesling that’s gone Platinum and ranks among the premier values of the judging. The noble grape of Germany has a home in two of the family’s vineyards near Quincy — Lauzier and acclaimed Two Gun — and the aromatic profile includes juicy Bosc pear, apricot and Gala apple … [Read more...] about Jones of Washington 2022 Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley $14.99