Best Buy! The Cottrill family established Robin Ridge in 1996, helping to transform the picturesque pocket of Keremeos and the Similkameen Valley into British Columbia wine country. Tim and Caroline raised their children on their estate, which prompted them to adopt organic practices and embrace the hands-on Geneva Double Curtain trellis system early on. This expression of … [Read more...] about Robin Ridge Winery 2021 Organic Chardonnay, Similkameen Valley $21.99
platinum awards
Spangler Vineyards 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Oregon $49
This self-taught Roseburg, Ore., grower/ winemaker prides himself on his Bordeaux program, and of his 26 career Platinums, 18 of those have been for work with those varieties. Here is the fifth for Cabernet Sauvignon, a list that began in 2007 from the 2004 vintage. Dark plum, Craisin, cherry pipe tobacco, pencil shavings and peppercorns lead to a full-bodied Cab with soft … [Read more...] about Spangler Vineyards 2020 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Oregon $49
Vizcaya Winery 2018 Tempranillo, Snake River Valley $33
Continued success at their Windy Ridge Vineyard in the Boise suburb of Meridian with five clones of early-ripening Tempranillo has turned into the second career Platinum for Lawrence and Kay Hansen. Their winemaker, Mike Crowley, shows off his training via the storied Walla Walla Community College program by capturing classic Tempranillo touchpoints, starting with aromas of … [Read more...] about Vizcaya Winery 2018 Tempranillo, Snake River Valley $33
Cougar Crest Estate Winery 2017 Cougar Hills Vineyard Estate Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley $36
Deborah Hansen and her family began to transition this site from fruit trees to vines in 1999 — in the aftermath of the apple market collapse — and the success for their vineyard and cellar work emerged throughout our judging this fall with five Platinums along the way. This Tempranillo brings aromas of plummy black fruits, cedar and tobacco. On the palate come plums and dried … [Read more...] about Cougar Crest Estate Winery 2017 Cougar Hills Vineyard Estate Tempranillo, Walla Walla Valley $36
Tinte Cellars 2022 Viognier, Columbia Valley $38
One of the top sites in the Northwest for Viognier is Gamache along the White Bluffs, and Noah Reed Fox blends those grapes with those from historic Conner Lee for one of the category’s few Platinum winners in 2023. Aromas are led by hints of honeydew melon, nectarine, almond and orange zest. On the palate, there’s lemon zest and green apple with a burst of pink grapefruit to … [Read more...] about Tinte Cellars 2022 Viognier, Columbia Valley $38