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
Washington
Hightower Cellars 2020 Merlot, Red Mountain $38
The Hightowers have racked up seven Platinums in the past four years, and three of their 11 career Platinums have been for Merlot. Historically, they’ve leaned on clone 15 fruit from their estate vineyard for the standalone bottlings of Merlot, which they first made in 2000. It’s fabulous and fun from start to finish in its theme of strawberry compote, cherry blossom and tanned … [Read more...] about Hightower Cellars 2020 Merlot, Red Mountain $38
Palencia Wine Co. 2020 El Viñador Carménère, Red Mountain $40
Cab is king on Red Mountain, so it makes sense that Carménère would grow a following there, too. Efforts such as this one by Victor Palencia should inspire others to ask vineyard owners to plant more. Classic aromas of sage, dried fig and cherry carry through to the palate, along with plum, black pepper, hints of chili pepper, leather and tobacco. Its medium acidity and … [Read more...] about Palencia Wine Co. 2020 El Viñador Carménère, Red Mountain $40
Siren Song Winery 2019 Auberge, Washington State $46
Inspiration for this blend of Syrah (75%) and Grenache by Lake Chelan winemaker Kevin Brown and his wife/chef, Holly, stems from time at a Provence farmhouse kitchen — an auberge in French. They pulled these Rhône varieties from the Wahluke Slope, where ripeness is never a problem, resulting in aromas of macerated Bing cherries and brewed coffee. They lead to hedonistic flavors … [Read more...] about Siren Song Winery 2019 Auberge, Washington State $46
Brian Carter Cellars 2013 Le Coursier Red Wine Blend, Columbia Valley $40
A year ago, our Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year picked up a Platinum for the 2012 vintage of Le Coursier, so it makes sense to see this Merlot-leaning blend emerge as one of the top-scoring proprietary reds of the judging. The nose brings thoughts of ripe cherries enrobed in dark chocolate, caramelized sugar and fresh-stripped cedar. It’s full-bodied, offering flavors of … [Read more...] about Brian Carter Cellars 2013 Le Coursier Red Wine Blend, Columbia Valley $40