Ashley Stephens is the latest in a string of Washington State University graduates to lead the winemaking for Mercer Wine Estates, and this bottling for the family with five decades of growing in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills ranked as the No. 1 Merlot from the 2023 Platinum Awards. It also ranks among the best values of the judging, with contributions from the Mercer clan's … [Read more...] about Mercer Bros. 2020 Merlot, Horse Heaven Hills $24.99
Washington
Chandler Reach Vineyards 2019 Chandler Reach Vineyard Estate Merlot, Yakima Valley $35
Len Parris grew up in Richland, Wash., near Red Mountain and established his 40-acre vineyard on a nearby bluff overlooking the Yakima River. Merlot is one of the six varieties he grows, and this bottling is among the Northwest’s most decorated examples. It’s fabulously balanced and flirty with perfectly ripe strawberries, a hint of candied ginger, baking spices and a solid … [Read more...] about Chandler Reach Vineyards 2019 Chandler Reach Vineyard Estate Merlot, Yakima Valley $35
Tsillan Cellars 2021 Estate Dry Riesling, Lake Chelan $28
In 1999, when Dr. Bob Jankelson seriously considered wine grapes for his property above the south shore of Lake Chelan, one expert warned him only Riesling and Gewürztraminer would survive. A quarter of a century later, Tsillan Cellars has won 36 Platinum Awards. Five of those have been Riesling, including the highest-ranked Riesling of the tasting. Aromas of dried apricot, … [Read more...] about Tsillan Cellars 2021 Estate Dry Riesling, Lake Chelan $28
Jones of Washington 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley $15.99
Best Buy! For the second time this decade, Victor Palencia has produced a Platinum with Sauvignon Blanc for the Jones family. And this three-time qualifier proved to be the highest- rated Sauv Blanc of this year’s judging. It’s redolent of tangerine, nectarine and honeydew melon with a pinch of cinnamon toast as a blend of pink raspberry and white peach impart a bit of … [Read more...] about Jones of Washington 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley $15.99
Spoiled Dog Winery 2020 Estate Pinot Noir, Puget Sound $42
The Krug family and its Spoiled Dog project have been on quite a run, earning at least one Platinum in each of the past seven years. Eight of their career 19 Platinums have been for Pinot Noir, but none has ranked as high as this 2020 Estate. A selection of their seven organically farmed clones, which spend time in new French oak, yields a wine effusive with raspberry, … [Read more...] about Spoiled Dog Winery 2020 Estate Pinot Noir, Puget Sound $42