Scott Steingraber was the senior project manager for the Tacoma Narrows Bridge project, and while he quickly followed the path in Southern Oregon for Tempranillo created by the esteemed Earl Jones, it took this Rogue Valley winemaker time to build his own Albariño program. A pair of golds at West Coast competitions and a Platinum here proves his talent. This is a tantalizing … [Read more...] about Kriselle Cellars 2021 Albariño, Rogue Valley $30
Oregon
Errant Cellars 2018 Henry’s Red, Columbia Valley $25
Even though this bottling represents her third Platinum in as many years, Megan Couture-Bates’s blend of Merlot (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (20%), Syrah (20%) and Cabernet Franc might be her most meaningful. It serves as a tribute to her late grandfather, Henry Neumann, an engineer who worked on the Columbia Basin Project. On the first pass, it’s a berry patch, but there’s much … [Read more...] about Errant Cellars 2018 Henry’s Red, Columbia Valley $25
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2018 Zinfandel, Columbia Valley $36
This Hood River producer only needed to drive as far as The Dalles and Volcano Ridge for these Zinfandel grapes. Fun aromas of cotton candy, peaches and cream and Graham crackers lead to sweet cherry flavors, Red Delicious apple and baking spices. “It’s a tongue dancer — hitting all corners of the palate with a long balanced finish,” summed up one judge. Suggested pairings … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2018 Zinfandel, Columbia Valley $36
King Estate Winery 2015 Weinbau Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley $50
When we staged a comparative tasting of Northwest Merlot last winter, we didn’t expect to see a Merlot from the Kings of Pinot. It struck gold in that judging and then went Platinum this fall. Winemaking COO Brent Stone worked with the Sagemoor team that owns Weinbau Vineyard on Washington’s Wahluke Slope for this effort, and it displays many of the qualities that make Merlot … [Read more...] about King Estate Winery 2015 Weinbau Vineyard Merlot, Columbia Valley $50
40:31 Wines 2018 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $42
The craftsmanship of winemaker Jim Sanders was recognized twice during this year’s Platinum Awards, including this effort with estate Pinot Noir from Shari and Bill Price’s Ten Peaks Vineyard near McMinnville, Ore. They named their winery brand for a verse in the book of Isaiah, and this heavenly blend of Dijon clones 115, 667 and 777 reveals crushed rose petals, time in a … [Read more...] about 40:31 Wines 2018 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $42