Of the 41 career Platinums awarded to Coco Umiker, 11 have been for her work with Carménère — the relatively obscure red Bordeaux. In fact, her first-ever Platinum came in 2013 from the cool 2011 vintage. All of them have been via Phinny Hill Vineyard, planted by the late Dick Beightol. Umiker manages the tannins and herbal charms of this variety within its profile of … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2019 Phinny Hill Vineyard Coco’s Reserve Carménère, Washington State $42
Idaho
Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2021 Umiker Estate Vineyard Lochsa Chardonnay, Lewis-Clark Valley $22
Once the Umikers built a wine production facility with refrigerated tanks on their family’s Century farm, they began developing their white wine program. As a result, this Chardonnay ranks among their most memorable efforts to this point — their first estate-grown white wine to earn a Platinum. Inviting aromas of orange blossom, apples sautéed in butter and light oak lead to a … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2021 Umiker Estate Vineyard Lochsa Chardonnay, Lewis-Clark Valley $22
Rolling Hills Vineyard 2018 Bleu Mascot Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley/Snake River Valley $36
The Pasculli family honors the life of their beloved golden retriever — Bleu — with this blend of Malbec (51%) and Cabernet Sauvignon that includes Walla Walla Valley grapes. Consulting winemaker Angela Shaltry played a role in this sultry, herby and balanced drink of black cherry and blackberry that picks up sage and black peppercorns. A Snake River Valley animal shelter … [Read more...] about Rolling Hills Vineyard 2018 Bleu Mascot Red Wine, Walla Walla Valley/Snake River Valley $36
Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2020 Heritage Series Louis Delsol Cabernet Sauvignon, Lewis-Clark Valley $36
Two years ago, Karl and Coco Umiker’s homage to Louis Delsol, the Frenchman who established the Lewis-Clark Valley’s first vineyard in 1872, won a Platinum. At our 2022 judging, both her 2020 and 2018 vintages of this Heritage Series Cab went Platinum, which means four of her past five releases of Delsol have earned a Platinum. This latest release is highly aromatic as anise, … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2020 Heritage Series Louis Delsol Cabernet Sauvignon, Lewis-Clark Valley $36
Domaine Holesinsky 2020 Gertschen Vineyard Buhljolais Rosé of Syrah, Snake River Valley $14
Best Buy! Locals in this section of Idaho refer to this region as Magic Valley, and James Holesinsky, who has been working with this site near the town of Buhl for more than a decade, credits the soil’s elevated level of potassium for his success with Syrah. The off-rosé from it earned a Platinum for the second straight vintage for our 2022 Idaho Winery of the Year. Think of … [Read more...] about Domaine Holesinsky 2020 Gertschen Vineyard Buhljolais Rosé of Syrah, Snake River Valley $14