Hood River native Rich Cushman continues his push up the all-time career Platinum honor roll, having earned 11 of them in the past five years. Two of those were with standalone bottlings of Merlot, so here’s another example of the Columbia Gorge winemaker’s versatility, his first Platinum with an all-Bordeaux blend — a Left Bank-style approach with Cabernet Sauvignon (56%), … [Read more...] about Mt. Hood Winery 2019 Pinnacle Red Wine, Columbia Valley $44
Oregon
Sidereus Vineyard & Winery 2022 Estate Riesling, Laurelwood District $25
During the past two decades, Fresno State enology grad Jason Bull has been behind a number of Platinum winners from Oregon’s Willamette Valley. In 2023, his work in the cellar produced for Sidereus owners Ruth and Skip Tarr one of the country’s top Rieslings — and their first Platinum from Great Northwest Wine. They harvested this lot Oct. 20 in the Chehalem Mountains between … [Read more...] about Sidereus Vineyard & Winery 2022 Estate Riesling, Laurelwood District $25
Season Cellars 2022 Transparency White Table Wine, Southern Oregon $24
For the fourth time, Scott Henry IV has received a Platinum Award for his enchanting German-inspired blend of Müller-Thurgau (50%), Muscat (33%) and Riesling. Heady aromas of apricot, strawberry jam and plumeria make their way to the palate and are met by cantaloupe, Rainier cherries, white pepper and Granny Smith apple. The continued success and consumer following that he and … [Read more...] about Season Cellars 2022 Transparency White Table Wine, Southern Oregon $24
Yamhill Valley Vineyards 2021 Estate Pinot Noir, McMinnville $35
The Burger family celebrated in 2023 the 40th anniversary of their historic project in Yamhill County near McMinnville, Ore., and that milestone came on the heels of Denis Burger being honored by the International Federation of Wine Brotherhoods — a group that includes Susan Sokol Blosser and the late Allen Shoup. Winemaker Ariel Eberle earned the family a Platinum for this … [Read more...] about Yamhill Valley Vineyards 2021 Estate Pinot Noir, McMinnville $35
Season Cellars 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Southern Oregon $24
This work with the noble white Bordeaux grape reflects Scott Henry IV’s eighth career Platinum, and it’s another reason why Season Cellars remains a go-to source in Southern Oregon for those seeking aromatic white wines. Its theme of Granny Smith apple, ripe pineapple, marzipan, ginger and lemon zest makes for a vivacious and balanced expression of Sauvignon Blanc. The winery’s … [Read more...] about Season Cellars 2022 Sauvignon Blanc, Southern Oregon $24