The team of Sonoma-based consultant Michael Sebastiani, owner Robb Bell and the cellar team of Francisco Chairez and Tyler McCafferty have now combined for 13 Platinum winners from our panel in the past three years. Sourcing from acclaimed sites such as Joe Hattrup’s elevated Elephant Mountain in the Yakima Valley has been a key advancement, and this is the Hood River winery’s … [Read more...] about Cathedral Ridge Winery 2020 Elephant Mountain Vineyard Reserve Petite Sirah, Columbia Valley $65
platinum awards
Cellardoor Winery 2021 The Tower White Wine, American $18
Best Buy! Growing consumer interest in Sauvignon Blanc as a standalone bottling has brought additional attention to classy white Bordeaux blends, and here’s one of the best to come out of Washington — even though the wine was made in Maine. Aaron Peet’s history of working with Sauvignon Blanc (58%) and Sémillon (42%) grown in the Yakima Valley goes Platinum here, and the … [Read more...] about Cellardoor Winery 2021 The Tower White Wine, American $18
King Estate Winery 2021 Inscription Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $20
Best Buy! The Kings recently launched this tier and went nationwide with its promotion, which explains the long list of gold medals that opened the doors to our Platinum Awards. The family’s estate plays a less significant role in the Inscription as more than a dozen vineyards come into play. Still, Brent Stone weaves a deliciously affordable and widely available Pinot Noir, … [Read more...] about King Estate Winery 2021 Inscription Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley $20
Maryhill Winery 2021 Otis Vineyard Reserve Albariño, Columbia Valley $28
Our regional tasting panels of folks in the wine trade continue to show that Albariño grown in the Pacific Northwest can gain complexity with a bit of bottle age. Richard Batchelor’s program with the Tudor family proves that once again as this same bottling from the historic Yakima Valley site has earned a Platinum in back-to-back years. Honeysuckle and honeydew melon aromas … [Read more...] about Maryhill Winery 2021 Otis Vineyard Reserve Albariño, Columbia Valley $28
Maryhill Winery 2019 Proprietor’s Reserve Grenache, Columbia Valley $48
A year ago, a Grenache featuring Gunkel fruit — an estate source for Maryhill — emerged as the No. 1 wine of the Platinum. That vineyard helped produce another of the Northwest’s best examples of the juicy red Rhône, thanks to winemaker Richard Batchelor’s blending with acclaimed Elephant Mountain Vineyard. The 17 months in a barrel program of 30% new French oak leads to sweet … [Read more...] about Maryhill Winery 2019 Proprietor’s Reserve Grenache, Columbia Valley $48