The Mellisons pay a delicious and decadent tribute to the historic approach in Tuscany with Cabernet Sauvignon grown in stony soils by creating this heady proprietary blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (85%) and Cabernet Franc from one of Washington’s innovative vineyards. It shows investment in French oak with the nose of cocoa powder, cinnamon and cloves alongside black cherry, plum … [Read more...] about Mellisoni Vineyards 2020 Stillwater Creek Vineyards Mellicaia Red Wine Blend, Royal Slope $200
Washington
Tipsy Canyon Winery 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain $55
Chelan Valley winemaker Mark Garvin scores a Platinum for the second straight year with an approachable Cab. However, this bottling hails from prized Quintessence Vineyard — a site that his friend, the late Brock Lindsay, helped him get into. Alluring aromas of blackberry, cooked cherry jam, anise, black pepper, green peppercorn and leather lead to a full-bodied drink with … [Read more...] about Tipsy Canyon Winery 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain $55
Bayernmoor Cellars 2020 Bayernmoor Vineyard Estate Précoce Clone Pinot Noir, Puget Sound $55
The Harris family is achieving exciting results with this early-ripening variety that’s linked to Germany, where it’s known as Frühburgunder. At his estate in Stanwood, Wash., winemaker Larry Harris planted it on phylloxera-resistant rootstock 3309 — an approach that’s very common in the Willamette Valley. The aromatics swirling out are focused on ripe red fruit, dried rose … [Read more...] about Bayernmoor Cellars 2020 Bayernmoor Vineyard Estate Précoce Clone Pinot Noir, Puget Sound $55
Camaraderie Cellars 2020 Grâce Red Wine, Columbia Valley $45
Three of the past four vintages of Grâce — and four times in the history of Platinum Awards — have gone Platinum. Such success is a tribute to owner/winemaker Don Corson and his Right Bank-inspired work with the Merlot-led Bordeaux blends and years of collaboration with growers such as Kent Waliser of Sagemoor’s Bacchus, Dionysus and Gamache vineyards. It’s a remarkable … [Read more...] about Camaraderie Cellars 2020 Grâce Red Wine, Columbia Valley $45
Chelan Ridge Winery 2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake Chelan $49
The Swaynes wisely retained Chelan Ridge’s longtime vineyard manager Enrique Hernandez when they purchased the 11-acre planting in 2021. Hernandez’s skill is on display with this delicious, full-bodied Cab that the Swaynes have also credited to Jeff Crowder, the winemaker educated by Washington State University who helped this picturesque property near Manson, Wash., win a … [Read more...] about Chelan Ridge Winery 2018 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Lake Chelan $49