Two-decade-old Clone 8 Cabernet Sauvignon plantings from the Armstrongs’s recently acquired Wheat Ridge Vineyard form the foundation of this blend that began to hit its stride this fall with high scores at two judgings in October — and yielded Timothy Armstrong his first Platinum from our panels. A pair of more famous vineyards in Les Collines and Seven Hills played supporting … [Read more...] about Armstrong Family Winery 2019 Sally Mac Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley $60
Washington
Cellardoor Winery 2021 The Tower White Wine, American $18
Best Buy! Growing consumer interest in Sauvignon Blanc as a standalone bottling has brought additional attention to classy white Bordeaux blends, and here’s one of the best to come out of Washington — even though the wine was made in Maine. Aaron Peet’s history of working with Sauvignon Blanc (58%) and Sémillon (42%) grown in the Yakima Valley goes Platinum here, and the … [Read more...] about Cellardoor Winery 2021 The Tower White Wine, American $18
Jones of Washington 2022 Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley $14.99
Best Buy! For the fifth time in the past decade, the Jones family and Victor Palencia have combined for a Riesling that’s gone Platinum and ranks among the premier values of the judging. The noble grape of Germany has a home in two of the family’s vineyards near Quincy — Lauzier and acclaimed Two Gun — and the aromatic profile includes juicy Bosc pear, apricot and Gala apple … [Read more...] about Jones of Washington 2022 Riesling, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley $14.99
Maryhill Winery 2021 Otis Vineyard Reserve Albariño, Columbia Valley $28
Our regional tasting panels of folks in the wine trade continue to show that Albariño grown in the Pacific Northwest can gain complexity with a bit of bottle age. Richard Batchelor’s program with the Tudor family proves that once again as this same bottling from the historic Yakima Valley site has earned a Platinum in back-to-back years. Honeysuckle and honeydew melon aromas … [Read more...] about Maryhill Winery 2021 Otis Vineyard Reserve Albariño, Columbia Valley $28
Maryhill Winery 2019 Proprietor’s Reserve Grenache, Columbia Valley $48
A year ago, a Grenache featuring Gunkel fruit — an estate source for Maryhill — emerged as the No. 1 wine of the Platinum. That vineyard helped produce another of the Northwest’s best examples of the juicy red Rhône, thanks to winemaker Richard Batchelor’s blending with acclaimed Elephant Mountain Vineyard. The 17 months in a barrel program of 30% new French oak leads to sweet … [Read more...] about Maryhill Winery 2019 Proprietor’s Reserve Grenache, Columbia Valley $48