Rob Stuart’s winery in McMinnville is centrally located for the dozen vineyards he sources from. For his flagship Pinot Gris, he works with two sites on opposite sides of the Sunset Highway west of Hillsboro — Courting Hill and Cochran — as well as 30-year-old Wade Vineyard in the Dundee Hills. Big Fire is created and priced as a “Tuesday night” wine, but in typical fashion for … [Read more...] about R. Stuart & Co. Winery 2022 Big Fire Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley $22
platinum awards
Aquilini Wines 2020 Chasing Rain Red Blend, Red Mountain $25
It obviously took several years before the Aquilini family began to reap the rewards from its stunning 2013 purchase at auction of 670 acres in and around the Red Mountain American Viticultural Area west of Richland, Wash. A decade later, the British Columbia entrepreneurs earned their first two Platinums via the blending magic of Cornell grad Joshua Maloney. It’s a bit of a … [Read more...] about Aquilini Wines 2020 Chasing Rain Red Blend, Red Mountain $25
L’atitude 47 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley $35
James Dixon and Gerry Weber met as first-year students in the Walla Walla Community College winemaking program — Class of 2020 — so they began working on these bottles for their fledgling West Coast Wines company the vintage prior to graduating. They describe the vineyard sources for this release as "bookends" representing both ends of the Walla Walla Valley, which indicate … [Read more...] about L’atitude 47 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon, Walla Walla Valley $35
Thurston Wolfe Winery 2021 The Teacher Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills $30
Seven times Prosser winemaker Wade Wolfe has used a bottling of Cabernet Sauvignon to attain Platinum, but his work on The Teacher project is extra special because it’s dedicated to the late Stan Clarke — a beloved figure and educator in the Washington wine industry. Dead Canyon, Destiny Ridge and McKinley Springs vineyards combine for a luscious Cab that’s loaded with … [Read more...] about Thurston Wolfe Winery 2021 The Teacher Cabernet Sauvignon, Horse Heaven Hills $30
Alexandria Nicole Cellars NV Adulting Wine Sparkling Rosé, Columbia Valley $24
Of the 21 career Platinums won by Jarrod Boyle, this is the first for bubbles — and the first for the young sparkling-focus brand managed by his marketing maven wife, Alexandria. It’s a charming example of the Charmat method as red Bordeaux grapes get a lift from Orange Muscat (5%). A twist of the screwcap releases aromas of fresh strawberry, melon and a rubbing of herbs. … [Read more...] about Alexandria Nicole Cellars NV Adulting Wine Sparkling Rosé, Columbia Valley $24