Our 2018 Oregon Winery of the Year earns a third career Platinum for its Petite Sirah program, and Pat Spangler has been working with the red Rhône grape long enough that early on he had to label it as “Durif” for a time. Its brooding nose of dark cocoa, black cherry, black tea and saddle leather leads to varietally correct intense sensations of Bing cherry, Baker’s chocolate … [Read more...] about Spangler Vineyards 2019 The Terraces Petite Sirah, Southern Oregon $39
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Zerba Cellars 2020 Cockburn Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley $40
Six of the 47 career Platinums won by this Oregon winery have been for Cabernet Franc, which makes Cecil Zerba’s 1,300-foot elevation Jon Cockburn Ranch Vineyard one of the Northwest’s premier sites for a grape more celebrated in the Loire Valley than Bordeaux. Brent Roberts, a graduate of Washington State University’s wine program, began at Zerba Cellars in 2014, and this is … [Read more...] about Zerba Cellars 2020 Cockburn Vineyard Cabernet Franc, Walla Walla Valley $40
Brandborg Vineyard and Winery 2022 Pinot Gris, Elkton Oregon $20
Best Buy! It was more than 20 years ago when Bay Area native Terry Brandborg was encouraged by Abacela founder Earl Jones to explore the potential surrounding the Umpqua River community of Elkton. More than a dozen Platinums for work with cool-climate varieties have followed under the Brandborg brand, and he’s produced other Platinums for his clients. Here’s a classic example … [Read more...] about Brandborg Vineyard and Winery 2022 Pinot Gris, Elkton Oregon $20
Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards 2021 La Crescent, Oregon $45
It’s becoming more common for hybrids developed in the U.S. to gather gold medals from knowledgeable international panels on the West Coast, yet there are few hybrids grown in the Northwest. Early in its history, fruit from Monkey Face Vineyards in the Central Oregon community of Terrebone was a factor. In the past decade, however, Cindy and Roger Grossman have grown the grapes … [Read more...] about Faith, Hope and Charity Vineyards 2021 La Crescent, Oregon $45
Iris Vineyards 2020 House Call Red Blend, Oregon $19.99
Best Buy! For the second straight vintage, Aaron Lieberman picks up a Platinum for his House Call proprietary red that’s a tribute to co-owner Richard Boyles’ grandfather. It’s a remarkable value that leans Right Bank Bordeaux with Merlot (37%), Cabernet Franc (36%), Malbec (14%) and Cabernet Sauvignon with grapes from across the state — Folin and Pheasant Hill in the Rogue … [Read more...] about Iris Vineyards 2020 House Call Red Blend, Oregon $19.99