A year ago, viticulturist/winemaker Ken Hart produced the best Cabernet Sauvignon of the 2020 Walla Walla Valley Wine Competition under his own Tulpen Cellars brand. This year, his three barrels of Merlot from Yellow Bird Vineyard — the Chan family’s dry-farmed planting that overlooks Walla Walla Vintners — emerged as the top-scoring Merlot of the Platinum. Its spicy nose and … [Read more...] about Tulpen Cellars 2018 Yellow Bird Vineyard Merlot, Walla Walla Valley $45
platinum awards
Cathedral Ridge Winery 2016 Reserve Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley $46
Moody Vineyard overlooks the Deschutes River as it flows into the Columbia, and it has become a stellar piece in the Bordeaux program for Robb Bell downstream in Hood River, Ore. It’s a classic example of Cab Franc from the start as fresh herbs, rose hips, earthiness and eucalyptus are joined by beautiful purple fruit and an elegant tannin structure. A pinch of black pepper and … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2016 Reserve Cabernet Franc, Columbia Valley $46
Maryhill Winery 2018 Classic Malbec, Yakima Valley $28
One of key components to the growth of the award-winning program at Maryhill Winery has been the relationship with Tudor Hills Vineyard. That’s on delicious display with this Malbec crafted by winemaker Richard Batchelor. The New Zealand native provides a remarkable example that encompasses so much of what Argentina’s work with this Bordeaux red has made famous, a wine that … [Read more...] about Maryhill Winery 2018 Classic Malbec, Yakima Valley $28
Liberty Lake Wine Cellars 2018 Scooteney Flats Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain, $36
Mark Lathrop went to business school, not winemaking school, but he’s proven to be a quick study in the cellar, thanks in part to talking his way into some of the best vineyards on Red Mountain. He blends clone 2 and clone 4 with a bit of Cabernet Franc (20%) to add enough style to achieve the ranks of Double Platinum. Think of cherry cocktail, cassis, chocolate and fruit cake … [Read more...] about Liberty Lake Wine Cellars 2018 Scooteney Flats Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Red Mountain, $36
Williamson Vineyards 2020 Albariño, Snake River Valley $23
The Williamson family planted the Spanish white Albariño at the behest of Sunnyslope winemaker Martin Fujishin, and it’s been a golden grape in Idaho for both the Williamson’s winery brand and Fujishin’s Free Dog Wines project. Here, it’s young winemaker James Nederend at the helm of this bottling that garners the Williamsons their first Double Platinum, rewarded for its … [Read more...] about Williamson Vineyards 2020 Albariño, Snake River Valley $23