Best Buy! Victor Palencia’s wizardry with white wines naturally extends to Chardonnay, and his 2022 bottling came in having qualified with a gold medal or better at five regional judgings. This expression reflects a blend of estate fruit from Lauzier Vineyard in the Ancient Lakes with that of Unit 20 on the Wahluke Slope, hence the use of “Columbia Valley” on the bottle. … [Read more...] about Jones of Washington 2022 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley $14.99
platinum awards
Pomeroy Cellars 2020 Syrah, Yakima Valley $48
Lucia Valley grower/winemaker Dan Brink, a standout producer within the Southwest Washington Winery Association, has now won four Platinums in the past three years. Syrah from storied DuBrul Vineyard has played a supporting role in two earlier Platinums, yet Brink shows his versatility with the variety by pulling from Inland Desert’s vineyard in the western shadow of Red … [Read more...] about Pomeroy Cellars 2020 Syrah, Yakima Valley $48
Bluebird Hill Cellars 2021 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $25
Our Platinum Awards program continues to reaffirm what other regional and national judgings have identified, that the Burgundy- inspired portfolio of Neil and Sue Shay is elite. They’ve won nine Platinums in the past four years, and here’s their first for Pinot Gris. Bluebird Hill Vineyard in the Coast Range foothills south of Corvallis is blended with Walnut Ridge Vineyard in … [Read more...] about Bluebird Hill Cellars 2021 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $25
Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery 2022 Private Reserve Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley $17.99
Best Buy! The brothers received formal education in enology (Walter) and viticulture (Gordon), and they let folks know they take an Italian angle to their Pinot Gris program even though they don’t use Grigio on the label. It opens with Bosc pear, lime, honeysuckle and minerality aromas, and those follow through on the palate. There’s a swabbing of sweetness on the midpalate … [Read more...] about Gehringer Brothers Estate Winery 2022 Private Reserve Pinot Gris, Okanagan Valley $17.99
Mercer Estates 2019 Spice Cabinet Vineyard Robert Willis Reserve Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills $55
A decade ago, Great Northwest Wine named the Mercer 2010 Spice Cabinet Vineyard Malbec as its No. 1 wine on its Top 100 list for 2013. This showing adds evidence that this vineyard overlooking Crow Butte Park and the Columbia River remains a garden spot for Bordeaux variety. Aromas of black and maraschino cherries are joined by tobacco, cocoa, bergamot and Earl Grey tea. … [Read more...] about Mercer Estates 2019 Spice Cabinet Vineyard Robert Willis Reserve Malbec, Horse Heaven Hills $55