Wine Press Northwest Platinum Judging Unveils the Best of the Best in the Great Northwest, Part 1
Wine Press Northwest magazine’s Platinum Judging wine competition stimulates the palates of professional wine judges year after year. Wines achieving Gold and higher awards within the prior year vie for Platinum honors.
Favorite White and Rosé wines from my panel in this 20th annual Platinum Judging included the following Platinum (P) and Double Platinum (PP) winners:
Trella Vineyards 2016 Gewurztraminer, Southern Oregon ($24): Fragrant florals on the nose. Vivid layers of lychee, spiced tisane, honeysuckle nectar and orange zest are transported across the palate with brisk acidity and underlying notes of salinity. A bright clementine note pops on the finish. (P)
50th Parallel Estate Winery 2018 Gewurztraminer, Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada ($20): This zesty Gewurz offer up kiwi and lemon on the nose. A colorful display of tart and sweet lemon drops, kiwi, lychee jelly, fruit cocktail, and candied pastilles unfold and remain bright and vivid through the close. (P)
Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2017 Green Lizard Gruner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley, OR ($32): Wildly aromatic with a lively entry, this vivacious Gruner is classic. Elements of stone fruit, white pepper, fresh harvested snap peas, lemon grass, and chamomile paint a brilliant explosion of aromas and flavors on the palate. Finely balanced and the finish is long and exhilarating. (P)
Trella Vineyards 2018 Gruner Veltliner, Southern Oregon ($29): Expressive stone fruit and citrus aromas speak clearly to the variety, and the entry is vibrant and fresh. Flavors of nectarine, apple skin, Ruby grapefruit, citrus blossom, and a hint of white pepper are well defined, and the lingering finish is uplifting. (P)
Reustle Prayer Rock Vineyards 2017 Estate Cuvee Hefeabzug Gruner Veltliner, Umpqua Valley, OR ($26): Minerally notes at first whiff stay present through the silky palate. Granny Smith apple, white pepper, star fruit and lemon verbena notes are enlivening, and lead to a finish that keeps on delivering long after the last sip. (P)
Carlton Cellars 2017 Auxerrois, Yamhill Carlton ($22): This exuberant Auxerrois is refreshing andfull of flavor. Juicy summer sweetnectarines, lemon-lime soda, apple blossom and oyster shell salinity mergegracefully on the palate. Lovely acidityand a satin-like texture carry it to a bright finish. (P)
Gehringer Brothers Estate 2018 Old Vines Auxerrois, Golden Mile Bench, BC Canada ($14): This crisp and mouthwatering Auxerrois shows a touch of florals on the nose. The entry is vivacious, and the wine builds on the palate as citrus fruits, white peach, a touch of lemon verbena, and a thread of minerality meld in harmony all the way through. (P)
Gehringer Brothers Estate 2018 Ehrenfelser, Okanagan Valley, BC Canada ($14): The expressive, fragrant aroma of this white wine (a grape of German origin) drives you into the glass. Juicy, bright and fresh with flavors of crisp pear, lime sorbet, star fruit, and lemon LifeSavers invigorating the palate. Finishes with verve. (P)
Iris Vineyards 2015 Chalice Estate Chardonnay, Willamette Valley, OR ($25): The brilliant hue is eye opening, and a stone fruit aroma lead to notes of fresh pear, kiwi and buttered toast. Herbs and lemon curd complement the pear notes on the palate, and citrus highlights lift the long finish. (P)
Cougar Crest Estate 2017 Albariño, Walla Walla Valley, WA ($24): Shimmering with electricity this wine really lights up the palate. Steely and bright with tropical fruit, lime zest and bracing acidity, and a thread of minerality holds through the vivacious finish. (P)
Terra Blanca Winery & Estate Vineyard 2018 Signature Series Albariño, Red Mountain, WA ($28): Hints of minerality join white fruits engaging the nose up front. Star fruit, key lime pie, fresh apricots and mandarin orange interlace and lead to a finale that is long and lifted. (P)
Thurston Wolfe Winery 2018 Crawford Vineyard Albariño, Yakima Valley, WA ($18): Juicy and full of energy from the fresh cut apple aroma, to the sweet Meyer lemon, Macintosh apples, hints of lychee and brilliant acidity decorating the palate, to the perky finish. (P)
Coyote Canyon Winery 2018 Coyote Canyon Vineyard Albariño, Horse Heaven Hills, WA ($20): Fresh and very aromatic with florals and citrus on the nose. Sun-kissed crushed pineapple, chopped herbs, lemon sorbet, and poached pear join brisk acidity, and the wine concludes with a refreshing tangy note. (P)
Intrigue Wines 2018 “Social Sparkling” Okanagan Valley, BC($17): The perfumed nose of rose petalsgets the party started. Crisp apple,honeysuckle, pear and candied orange peel align with racy acidity, tickling thetaste buds through the lively last sip. (P)
Cooper Ridge Vineyard NV Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Riesling,Umpqua Valley, OR ($29): Invitingpeaches and white flowers on the nose. Alively bead carries peach sorbet, summer fresh nectarines, citrus accents andlovely minerality across the palate. Refreshing and well balanced with extended length. (P)
Cave B Estate Winery 2018 Cave B Vineyard Cuvée Blanc, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, WA ($27): Striking citrus and tree fruit aromas engage the senses with this Sauv Blanc dominant blend. Crisp and bright with interlinking layers of pear, grapefruit, fresh chopped herbs and orange zest. Rocking acidity keeps it vibrant through the last drop. (PP)
Cliff Creek Cellars 2018 White White Wine, Southern OR ($22): Aromas of stone fruit rise from the glass with this Marsanne, Roussanne, Viognier blend. Vivid flavors of peaches and nectarines on entry meld with apple skin and minerality mid palate, and the balancing acidity rocks. Citrus notes peek through on the refreshing finish. (P)
Martinez & Martinez 2017 Viognier, Yakima Valley, WA ($18): Hints of peach tantalize the nose, and a burst of citrus explodes with vibrancy when this gem greets the lips. Layers of pomelo, pink grapefruit, white peach and a sprinkle of fresh herbs are carried by crisp acidity. The finish is tangy and bright. (P)
Westport Winery Garden Resort 2017 “Lighthouse” Riesling,Yakima Valley, WA ($27): Tropical fruitswith a touch of wet stone engage the nose. Fresh peaches, guava, lime zest, a light touch of tarragon, and a clearthread of minerality flow across the palate with bracing acidity. Bright and enlivening all the waythrough. (P)
Ancestry Cellars 2017 Reminiscence Riesling, Columbia Gorge, OR ($20): Wet stone on the nose speaks vociferously to varietal correctness, and the flavor profile lines up equally well. Petrol, grilled peaches, sugared lime peel, green apples and minerally tones create a brilliant kaleidoscope of flavors on the palate. Finishes with impressive length and energy. (PP)
Whidbey Island Winery 2018 Rosato, Yakima Valley, WA ($15): This well-balanced dry rosé crafted of Sangiovese and other Italian varieties shows off a beautifully expressive rose garden aroma. Juicy and bright on the palate as peach, strawberry and melon flavors interlace with lively acidity. (P)
Puffin Wines 2018 Rosé of Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, OR ($22): A crystal clear rosy pink hue captures the eye, and the aroma is alluring. Sweetheart cherry, raspberry sorbet, and watermelon flavors are accented by bright citrusy notes. Well balanced with a snappy and refreshing finish. (P)
Locus Wines 2018 vintage 7 Mile Rosé, Rattlesnake Hills, WA ($15): This sunny blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Cinsault opens with a dusty berry aroma. Multi-layered and vivacious as raspberries, rambutan, orange blossom and lemon verbena flavors harmonize through the finish. (P)
