Five of Brian Carter’s 39 career Platinum Awards have been earned by this blend, which is named for the French term for steed and inspired by Right Bank Bordeaux. And this melange of Merlot (58%), Cabernet Sauvignon (21%), Cabernet Franc (14%), Malbec (4%) and Petit Verdot emerged as the top-rated red blend of the 2023 Platinum Awards. Solstice Vineyard in the Yakima Valley and … [Read more...] about Brian Carter Cellars 2018 Le Coursier Bordeaux-Style Red Wine Blend, Columbia Valley $40
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Brian Carter Cellars 2013 Le Coursier Red Wine Blend, Columbia Valley $40
A year ago, our Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year picked up a Platinum for the 2012 vintage of Le Coursier, so it makes sense to see this Merlot-leaning blend emerge as one of the top-scoring proprietary reds of the judging. The nose brings thoughts of ripe cherries enrobed in dark chocolate, caramelized sugar and fresh-stripped cedar. It’s full-bodied, offering flavors of … [Read more...] about Brian Carter Cellars 2013 Le Coursier Red Wine Blend, Columbia Valley $40
Tinte Cellars 2020 Irish Eyes Red Wine, Columbia Valley $48
Rhône-styled GSM blends are among the easiest to enjoy and have become brisk sellers. That’s true for this Grenache (41%) and Mourvèdre (20%) from Candy Mountain and Syrah (39%) from Dineen — two sites at opposite ends of the Yakima Valley American Viticultural Area. It’s stylish, complex and — thanks to Noah Reed Fox’s winemaking — fun to pick out the components. Moist … [Read more...] about Tinte Cellars 2020 Irish Eyes Red Wine, Columbia Valley $48
Quiddity Wines 2020 Block 14 Audentes Syrah, Rattlesnake Hills $39
More than a dozen wines with Elephant Mountain Vineyard on the label have won a Platinum during our judging’s history. Even though Greg Peiker doesn’t list Joe Hattrup’s stellar site above the Yakima Valley on the front, 95% of that fruit is inside this bottle, co-fermented with 5% Viognier from Hattrup’s lower-elevation Sugarloaf Vineyard. Brambleberries, Italian herbs and … [Read more...] about Quiddity Wines 2020 Block 14 Audentes Syrah, Rattlesnake Hills $39
Brian Carter Cellars 2022 Abracadabra Rosé, Columbia Valley $25
Sangiovese ranks among Brian Carter’s most favored grapes, contributing to red wines, a new sparkling wine project and his growing rosé program. His 2021 vintage earned a Platinum, and he expanded his rosé program by more than 300 cases for this bottling from the 2022 vintage. It’s a remarkable example of blending — 10 varieties! — but led by Sangiovese (58%). Aromas and … [Read more...] about Brian Carter Cellars 2022 Abracadabra Rosé, Columbia Valley $25