This self-taught Roseburg, Ore., grower/ winemaker prides himself on his Bordeaux program, and of his 26 career Platinums, 18 of those have been for work with those varieties. Here is the fifth for Cabernet Sauvignon, a list that began in 2007 from the 2004 vintage. Dark plum, Craisin, cherry pipe tobacco, pencil shavings and peppercorns lead to a full-bodied Cab with soft … [Read more...] about Spangler Vineyards 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Oregon $49
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Puffin Brand 2022 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $24
One of the most amazing storylines of the Platinum Awards is the repeated excellence surrounding the Pinot Gris program by Cannon Beach wine merchant/Realtor/negoçiant Steven Sinkler. Of the 11 career Platinums he’s attained, seven have been for Pinot Gris — including six in the past seven years. (The gap is from the 2020 pandemic vintage.) They are products of his … [Read more...] about Puffin Brand 2022 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $24
Iris Vineyards 2021 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $25
Oregon State University grad Aaron Lieberman scored Platinums with two bottlings of Pinot Noir from the 2021 vintage, the reserve tier under the Areté label and this flagship release for Iris Vineyards. It’s a blend of four distinct growing regions and includes the Chalice Estate (36%) and underrated Methven (27%) in the Eola-Amity Hills. The nose includes Rainier cherry, … [Read more...] about Iris Vineyards 2021 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $25
Stage Pass Estate 2019 Boitano Reserva Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley $42
The historic Old West town of Jacksonville, Ore., now includes an upscale, wine-themed housing development — Stage Pass — that features several home lots with young vineyards. Homesite No. 2 comes with the single-acre vineyard named Boitano, and it’s now home to a Platinum-winning Pinot Noir. Chris Jiron of nearby DANCIN Vineyards sorted through the five clones for a … [Read more...] about Stage Pass Estate 2019 Boitano Reserva Pinot Noir, Rogue Valley $42
R. Stuart & Co. Winery 2022 Big Fire Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $22
Rob Stuart’s winery in McMinnville is centrally located for the dozen vineyards he sources from. For his flagship Pinot Gris, he works with two sites on opposite sides of the Sunset Highway west of Hillsboro — Courting Hill and Cochran — as well as 30-year-old Wade Vineyard in the Dundee Hills. Big Fire is created and priced as a “Tuesday night” wine, but in typical fashion for … [Read more...] about R. Stuart & Co. Winery 2022 Big Fire Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $22