The Southern Oregon three-generation winemaking team of Cal Schmidt, his daughter, René Brons and grandson Duncan Brons now have 12 career Platinums to their credit, and four of those are for work with the popular Spanish red. The beautiful nose fills your face with cherries, currants and toasted oak. That theme is realized within a gorgeously framed mouthfeel where the tannins … [Read more...] about Schmidt Family Vineyards 2018 Reserve Tempranillo, Applegate Valley $42
platinum awards
Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2018 Spice Market Red Wine, Washington $38
No one could match the nine Platinums won by Clearwater Canyon Cellars, and this Carménère-led blend proved to be the top scoring by Idaho’s Coco Umiker. The Carm from Phinny Hill Vineyard in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills makes up two-thirds of the blend, with the rest being Cabernet Sauvignon (12%), Merlot (9%), Petit Verdot (7%), Malbec (2%) and the thoughtful use of Rhône … [Read more...] about Clearwater Canyon Cellars 2018 Spice Market Red Wine, Washington $38
Chris Daniel Winery, 2017 Malbec, Columbia Valley $30
One of the goals of the Platinum Awards is to identify trends. Among those in 2021 is that Malbec in the hands of Chris Daniel Stewart is worth seeking out. The Stewart family winery not far from the Gorge Amphitheater produced the top-scoring wine of 2021 Platinum Awards. The Napa Valley winemaking son — Chris — works closely with his father, Michael, and there’s an astounding … [Read more...] about Chris Daniel Winery, 2017 Malbec, Columbia Valley $30
Three of Cups Heart of the Hill Vineyard Le Bateleur Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $35
For a second consecutive vintage, Williams family Cabernet Sauvignon from the middle of Red Mountain leads Mike Metheny to a Platinum. It’s drinking superbly, a ripe and supple Cab that one would be a fool not to seek out as classic Bing cherry, red currant, cocoa powder notes finish with an injection of black raspberry juice. Award: Seattle Wine Awards (gold). Rating: … [Read more...] about Three of Cups Heart of the Hill Vineyard Le Bateleur Cabernet Sauvignon, Red Mountain, $35
Rellik Winery 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Rogue Valley, $35
Southern Oregon winemaker Chris Graves handles the program for this tasteful yet whimsical property in historic Jacksonville, Ore., that offers wine tasting surrounded by an orchard where alpacas roam. There’s lodging and build-your-own pizza, too. Graves’s work brings out a Cab filled with deep blueberry and black currant notes, dark chocolate and violets accompanied by light … [Read more...] about Rellik Winery 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Rogue Valley, $35