Len Parris established his vineyard near Chandler Butte in the Horse Heaven Hills, and it’s proved to be an ideal spot for Bordeaux varieties — which he has grown on his estate near Benton City, Wash., since 2003 and sold there and in Woodinville for the past decade. It’s redolent of black currant, macerated cherries and dark plum with notes of buttered popcorn, sliced eggplant … [Read more...] about Chandler Reach Vineyards 2019 Chandler Reach Vineyard H. Len Parris Signature Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley $55
Washington
Aquilini Wines 10,000 Hours 2019 Red Blend, Red Mountain $35
One of Washington state’s premier talents with red wines, Joshua Maloney, developed this Bordeaux blend in the style of the Left Bank — built with a foundation of Cabernet Sauvignon (63%) — for a density to be enjoyed slowly and savored. The 20 months in a barrel program of 35% new French oak provides a sense of espresso behind the pronounced aromas of black currant, black … [Read more...] about Aquilini Wines 10,000 Hours 2019 Red Blend, Red Mountain $35
Maryhill Winery 2020 Classic Merlot, Columbia Valley $26
Richard Batchelor’s winemaking has lifted Maryhill atop the all-time Platinum leaderboard, but of the record 111 Platinums won, this is only his third for Merlot. Historically, the sources for Merlot under their entry-level “Classic” tier have included three go-to sites for many Washington wineries — Elephant Mountain in the Rattlesnake Hills, McKinley Springs in the Horse … [Read more...] about Maryhill Winery 2020 Classic Merlot, Columbia Valley $26
Quiddity Wines 2020 Block 14 Audentes Syrah, Rattlesnake Hills $39
More than a dozen wines with Elephant Mountain Vineyard on the label have won a Platinum during our judging’s history. Even though Greg Peiker doesn’t list Joe Hattrup’s stellar site above the Yakima Valley on the front, 95% of that fruit is inside this bottle, co-fermented with 5% Viognier from Hattrup’s lower-elevation Sugarloaf Vineyard. Brambleberries, Italian herbs and … [Read more...] about Quiddity Wines 2020 Block 14 Audentes Syrah, Rattlesnake Hills $39
Revelry Vintners 2019 Range Grenache/Syrah, Columbia Valley $46
Avid fly fisherman Jared Burns reels in his second career Platinum Award for this Châteauneuf-du-Pape-inspired blend of Grenache and Syrah. Grenache has rightfully been a key driver in this Walla Walla winery’s rosé program, and Syrah from historic Weinbau Vineyard on the warm Wahluke Slope deserves its place in any Rhône blend. In order to keep the focus on that beautiful … [Read more...] about Revelry Vintners 2019 Range Grenache/Syrah, Columbia Valley $46