Only two other Chardonnay entries received more points at this year’s Platinum than the Nederend family entry, so this reserve style ranks among the best in the Northwest. The oak influence is exemplified with notes of nuttiness with sweet cream and toffee alongside ripe pineapple and fresh-garden greens. A trail of butter and citrus zest makes for a long and lingering finish. … [Read more...] about Koenig Vineyards 2021 Chardonnay, Snake River Valley $22
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Milbrandt Family Wines 2021 Family Grown Chardonnay, Columbia Valley $16
Best Buy! Canadian-born winemaker Kendall Mix worked for producers large and small before agreeing to take over the winemaking for the Milbrandts in Mattawa, Wash. His deliciously balanced Chardonnay for this Butch Milbrandt-owned value brand features grapes from three growing regions — Purple Sage and old-vine Rosebud (Wahluke Slope), Newhouse (Yakima Valley) and storied … [Read more...] about Milbrandt Family Wines 2021 Family Grown Chardonnay, Columbia Valley $16
Seven Hills Winery 2021 Carménère, Walla Walla Valley $50
Oregon State University grad Bobby Richards has now spent a decade with Seven Hills Winery, the fifth-oldest brand in the Walla Walla Valley. His work here with “the lost grape of Bordeaux ‘’ on behalf of Crimson Wine Group features one of the region’s oldest vineyard sites — SHW Founding Vineyard — and Summit View. It’s worth noting that both are in the state of Oregon. Smoky … [Read more...] about Seven Hills Winery 2021 Carménère, Walla Walla Valley $50
The Bunnell Family Cellar 2017 Painted Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley $58
Among the plantings Art den Hoed spearheads is Painted Hills, a site near Mabton that’s just outside the Yakima Valley boundary and directly responsible for eight career Platinums awarded to Ron Bunnell. Here’s the second for a Cab, which stays true to the varietal with aromas of Bing cherry, pencil shavings, green bell pepper and mint. The palate projects with a baritone of … [Read more...] about The Bunnell Family Cellar 2017 Painted Hills Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley $58
Black Heron Wines 2018 MonteScarlatto Vineyard Treasure Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Red Mountain $30
Columbia Valley distiller Mark Williams bought an established spirits business in 2013, and famous Red Mountain is about a five-minute drive from his West Richland, Wash., cellar. He earned several gold medals in 2023 for his Red Mountain reds, and he picked up his first career Platinum with this blend of Merlot (52%) and Cabernet Sauvignon. Attractive aromas of raspberry jam, … [Read more...] about Black Heron Wines 2018 MonteScarlatto Vineyard Treasure Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Red Mountain $30