Of the 16 Platinum Awards earned by the Chapels and longtime vineyard manager David Ramirez, their Dijon Block program — populated by clones 115 and 777 — has been credited with four of those. Sexy aromas of neroli, bergamot, rose petal, strawberry licorice and vanilla bean bring along rewarding flavors of Marionberry, cherry pie and mocha. Qualifying award: San Francisco … [Read more...] about Cardwell Hill Cellars 2016 Estate Dijon Block Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $40
Oregon
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2018 McKinley Springs Vineyard Reserve Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills $48
Several vintages ago, Washington state’s largest vineyard at 2,800 acres welcomed this Hood River winery to its list of storied clients. Among those is Columbia Crest, which used McKinley Springs fruit in the 2005 Reserve Cab that was Wine Spectator’s No. 1 wine in the world in 2009. With that background, it doesn’t surprise us to see Cathedral Ridge amass 11 Platinums in the … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2018 McKinley Springs Vineyard Reserve Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills $48
Watermill Winery 2018 Anna Marie Vineyard Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley $55
In 2001, the Brown family planted Anna Marie Vineyard in the Blue Mountain foothills south of Walla Walla, so these vines are entering their prime, which shows in this effort from the cellar of Brian Roy — credited with two Platinum-winning Cabs this fall. Its approach and structure hints at the influence of a cooler site in its profile of dark purple — rather than black — … [Read more...] about Watermill Winery 2018 Anna Marie Vineyard Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley $55
Succession Wines 2018 Syrah, Yakima Valley $42
Brock and Erica Lindsay continue to build upon the success that prompted us to name their Lake Chelan project as the 2018 Washington Winery to Watch, and this Syrah from Candy Mountain Vineyards serves as another example of their special touch with Rhône varieties, marked by their Platinum for Viognier this year, too. Its lovely dark red profile conjures up thoughts of black … [Read more...] about Succession Wines 2018 Syrah, Yakima Valley $42
Spangler Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Franc, Southern Oregon $29
It was Cabernet Franc that earned Patrick Spangler his first Platinum Award in 2006, and this talent with Bordeaux varieties now can claim five career Platinums just for Franc. During harvest, he chases 25 Brix of ripeness with this sometimes too-herbal red, and he prefers some of his smokiest barrels for Franc. Both explain this profile, which brings a theme of black cherry … [Read more...] about Spangler Vineyards 2018 Cabernet Franc, Southern Oregon $29