Platinum by the numbers during the 2023 Platinum Awards, staged at the Clover Island Inn in Kennewick, Wash. The program at Bayernmoor Cellars in Stanwood, Wash., was awarded nine Platinums, while the judging's all-time leader — Maryhill Winery in Goldendale, Wash. — won eight Platinum Awards, giving it 111 for its career. Top-performing wineries in 20239 — Bayernmoor … [Read more...] about Top performing wineries at 24th annual Platinum Awards
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Despite wine industry doomsayers, 24th Platinum Awards lead to 230 delicious stories
As someone who has followed, written and tasted some of the best that the Pacific Northwest wine industry has offered in the past 25 years, it is disappointing and occasionally maddening to read some of the headlines written recently. That’s why it is uplifting — albeit time-consuming — to share the delicious news from our 24th annual Platinum Awards, which dominates the … [Read more...] about Despite wine industry doomsayers, 24th Platinum Awards lead to 230 delicious stories
Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards tops Platinum Awards with 99-point Grüner Veltliner
A year ago, Stephen Reustle won a trio of Platinums Awards for Grüner Veltliner, as both the 2021 Green Lizard and the 2021 Hefeabzug earned Double Platinums and received 97 and 96 points, respectively, followed by the 2020 Hefeabzug. Acclaim and gold medals for his interpretations of the Austrian grape he grows in Oregon’s Umpqua Valley are consistently achieved across the … [Read more...] about Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards tops Platinum Awards with 99-point Grüner Veltliner
Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2022 Estate Selection Hefeabzug Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley $34
Stephen Reustle’s expression of Grüner Veltliner that spends time on the lees — hefeabzug translates to yeast-aged — offers scents of sea breeze, crushed oyster shells, timothy hay and Mandarin orange peel, leading to a palate filled with a melange of citrus, slate and Granny Smith apple. Reustle’s success in the vineyard and the following for his program has paved the way for … [Read more...] about Reustle-Prayer Rock Vineyards 2022 Estate Selection Hefeabzug Grüner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley $34
Sigillo Cellars 2020 Carménère, Wahluke Slope $40
The Seal family has earned five Platinum Awards in the past four years, each for a red wine. Here, they work with historic Weinbau Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope for Carménère, and there’s some Cabernet Sauvignon for added texture. Aromas range from dried cherries and figs to mild baking spices, a hint of vanilla and a slice of bell pepper. On the palate, it’s plummy with a … [Read more...] about Sigillo Cellars 2020 Carménère, Wahluke Slope $40