For the second straight year, Coco Umiker’s fascinating Waha program has received a Platinum, and here is her first Double Platinum for the multi-vintage blend. Its legacy harkens back to when she held back several barrels of red wine from the 2015 vintage. Later, she sent wine from those selected barrels through fresh lees from some 2016 reds and returned that wine to barrel. … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars NV Waha IV Red Wine, Washington $28
Outstanding
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2021 Riesling, British Columbia $23
Best Buy! One of the Pacific Northwest’s most striking settings for delicious Riesling is Lillooet, British Columbia — halfway between Whistler and Kamloops, overlooking the Fraser River. The Riesling category at the 2023 Platinum was quite competitive, and this bottling via South African winemaker Alessandro Nel’s first vintage was one of just three Double Platinums in the … [Read more...] about Fort Berens Estate Winery 2021 Riesling, British Columbia $23
Van Westen Vineyards 2022 Viognier, Naramata Bench $28
Rob Van Westen references the Rhône region of Condrieu when describing Viognier, and the Okanagan Valley winegrower produced the highest-rated Viognier of the 24th annual Platinum. It romanced the judges with aromatics hinting at apricot, grapefruit and fresh-baked baguette. The medium-bodied white receives a coating of white peach and buttered baguette that’s brightened by … [Read more...] about Van Westen Vineyards 2022 Viognier, Naramata Bench $28
Mellisoni Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay, Royal Slope $55
Rob and Donna Mellison have now earned four Platinums for their work with Chardonnay, and here is their first Double Platinum with the white Burgundy grape. White rose petals, lemon meringue pie and tropical fruit nuances are allowed to flourish because of the stainless steel fermentation for the grapes they get from their friend Ed Kelly, the longtime viticulturist at … [Read more...] about Mellisoni Vineyards 2022 Chardonnay, Royal Slope $55
Tinte Cellars 2020 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley $40
Noah Reed Fox, a product of Walla Walla Community College’s winemaking program, worked with two storied sites — Dineen in the Yakima Valley and Gamache in the White Bluffs — for one of the top Cabernet Francs of the 24th annual Platinum. Its exotic profile includes classic notes of peppercorns, cassis, red licorice, cigar box, Kalamata olive and madrona-smoked lion’s mane … [Read more...] about Tinte Cellars 2020 Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley $40