Of the red Bordeaux varieties planted in three blocks across the two estate vineyards near Lake Chelan, Malbec has proved to be the best suited for Tsillan Cellars. That’s reflected in the six Platinums won in the past seven years of our judging. This bottling is filled with plums, cherry pipe tobacco, mint and cocoa powder. Enjoy with either the Five Spice Duck or Thick Cut … [Read more...] about Tsillan Cellars 2021 Estate Malbec, Lake Chelan $56
platinum awards
Bayernmoor Cellars 2021 Bayernmoor Vineyard Précoce Clone Pinot Noir, Puget Sound $50
This recent release hadn’t made its way past the Harris family’s wine club when it earned its first gold medal in early October, which made it a late qualifier for the Platinum — where it impressed judges again. It was the third Platinum this year for Larry Harris with this early-ripening clone, and this youthful example shows off notes of red plum, cassis, tomato leaf, leather … [Read more...] about Bayernmoor Cellars 2021 Bayernmoor Vineyard Précoce Clone Pinot Noir, Puget Sound $50
Brian Carter Cellars 2020 Byzance Red Wine Blend, Columbia Valley $45
When it comes to the Platinum Awards, Brian Carter’s most decorated wine is his Rhône-inspired red — and the wines of Châteauneuf-du-Pape continue to drive his style. This GSM-ish blend of Grenache (53%), Syrah (20%), Mourvèdre (16%), Cinsaut (6%) and Counoise from the 2020 vintage delivered a Platinum for the eighth time. Lonesome Spring Ranch west of Red Mountain has been his … [Read more...] about Brian Carter Cellars 2020 Byzance Red Wine Blend, Columbia Valley $45
Brian Carter Cellars 2013 Solesce Red Wine, Columbia Valley $90
The first Platinum Award won by Brian Carter came back in 2010 with the 2005 vintage of his Left Bank-Bordeaux red. Here’s his fifth Platinum for Solesce, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Merlot (25%), Petit Verdot (9%), Cabernet Franc (7%) and Malbec. Plummy aromas with lavender, espresso and carob spark the detonation of a palate explosion led by red plum and dark cherry, … [Read more...] about Brian Carter Cellars 2013 Solesce Red Wine, Columbia Valley $90
Camaraderie Cellars 2020 Chandler Reach Sangiovese, Yakima Valley $31.50
Of this Olympic Peninsula’s 10 career Platinums for red wine, this marks the first that’s not of Bordeaux, although Don Corson uses the influence of Merlot to give it a Super Tuscan feel. He pulls the Sangiovese from a vineyard established in 1997 between the Horse Heaven HIlls and the Yakima River with Red Mountain in the distance. Classic notes of juicy boysenberry and … [Read more...] about Camaraderie Cellars 2020 Chandler Reach Sangiovese, Yakima Valley $31.50