Best Buy! Sommelier-turned-winemaker Keira LeFranc waits until after the first frost before she harvests this cool-climate hybrid of Trebbiano and Rayon d’Or. During the 2022 “Hail Mary” vintage, that was the first week of November from Parsons Vineyard (Skaha Bench) and Stag’s Hollow Estate Vineyard (Okanagan Falls). Fanciful aromas include lychee, Bartlett pear, pineapple and … [Read more...] about Stag’s Hollow Winery 2022 Tragically Vidal, Okanagan Valley $20
platinum awards
Martinez & Martinez Winery 2019 Dion Carlo Carménère, Horse Heaven Hills $43
This red Bordeaux variety that for decades was believed to be “lost” to the world, has found another home aside from Chile in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills. And it makes sense that this family with decades of growing Cab on its estate near Champoux/ Phinny Hill and tending vines at Alder Ridge achieves success with Carménère. The nose curated by Prosser winemaker Andrew … [Read more...] about Martinez & Martinez Winery 2019 Dion Carlo Carménère, Horse Heaven Hills $43
Famici Wine Co. 2020 Vineyard Blend Red Wine, Snake River Valley $45
Boise State geoscientist C.J. Northrup has been a part of the Snake River Valley wine industry for a couple of decades, and his young vineyard along Hoskins Road on the Sunnyslope has proved its maturity with this estate blend that resulted in his first Platinum Award. It’s also another example of the region’s future with Petit Verdot, which at 60% drives the Bordeaux-only … [Read more...] about Famici Wine Co. 2020 Vineyard Blend Red Wine, Snake River Valley $45
Julian Margot Winery 2021 Nettie Red Wine, Columbia Valley $40
A trip to Niagara inspired clinical laboratory scientist Leah Kellogg to pursue winemaking, and her path to the Washington wine industry led her to work at acclaimed JM Cellars for John Bigelow. This one-barrel effort with 100% Merlot from storied Boushey Vineyards is a product of the second commercial vintage for Julian Margot, and it’s named for a beloved canine. There are … [Read more...] about Julian Margot Winery 2021 Nettie Red Wine, Columbia Valley $40
Latah Creek Wine Cellars 2022 Lonesome Spring Vineyard Orange Moscato, Yakima Valley $17
Best Buy! Second-generation winemaker Natalie Conway-Barnes reached rarified air during our latest judging by scoring a Platinum for the same aromatic variety from the same second-generation vineyard with back-to-back vintages during the same Platinum Awards tasting. The Morrell family has two blocks planted five years apart, and the Spokane Valley winery captures a great deal … [Read more...] about Latah Creek Wine Cellars 2022 Lonesome Spring Vineyard Orange Moscato, Yakima Valley $17