The 2011 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year picked up a pair of Double Platinums this fall for Italian reds, and winemaker Brent Roberts pushed the legal limit of Barbera (25%) in order to still label this as Zinfandel (75%). Perhaps that’s what made this among the most layered and hedonistic wines of the 23rd Platinum. Fanciful aromas of campfire marshmallow, dark cherry, … [Read more...] about Zerba Cellars 2018 Estate Zinfandel, Walla Walla Valley $50
Oregon
Thurston Wolfe Winery 2021 Crawford Vineyard Albariño, Yakima Valley $22.50
In 2015, when Wade Wolfe won his first Platinum for Albariño, he was the first in the competition’s history to win a Platinum with Albariño grapes that weren’t estate. This marks his fourth Platinum with Crawford Vineyard Albariño. The Prosser winemaker has 45 years of winemaking experience in Washington, so he’s got this dialed in — a bright and crisp example that hints at … [Read more...] about Thurston Wolfe Winery 2021 Crawford Vineyard Albariño, Yakima Valley $22.50
Del Rio Vineyards NV Jolee Semi-Sparkling Rosé, Oregon $15
Best Buy! The Wallace family recruited Loire Valley native Jean-Michel Jussiaume to the Rogue Valley in 2008, and he’s taken their 460-acre estate to new heights. Their continued success with this fun and lightly fizzy rosé named for the winery’s matriarch is matched by its explosive growth and creation of its own Jolee tier. While Muscat and Riesling combine for most of this … [Read more...] about Del Rio Vineyards NV Jolee Semi-Sparkling Rosé, Oregon $15
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2021 Necessity White, Columbia Gorge $32
Longtime consultant Michael Sebastiani is based in Sonoma, so he relies on the day-to-day work in the cellar by Tyler McCafferty and Francisco Chairez. Their diligence is particularly necessary in white wines, and they shine with this blend of Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris that delivered another Platinum for owner Robb Bell. The nose of orange Creamsicle, white peach and … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2021 Necessity White, Columbia Gorge $32
Mt. Hood Winery 2019 Dry Hollow Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley $38
The 2022 Platinum class for Syrah was dominated by delicious entries from the 2019 vintage, and this was one of two to go Double Platinum. It might have been predictable, too, considering that winemaker Rich Cushman’s work from the 2018 vintage off this site near The Dalles, Ore., earned a Double Platinum at last year’s judging. This is suave with aromas of fresh-baked … [Read more...] about Mt. Hood Winery 2019 Dry Hollow Vineyard Syrah, Columbia Valley $38