Delicious whites from 15th annual Platinum Judging

Last week, we reviewed some of the top red wines from the 15th annual Platinum Judging, conducted by Wine Press Northwest magazine. This week, we take a look at some of the top white and dessert wines.

The Platinum Judging celebrates the best of the best in the Pacific Northwest. Only wines that win gold medals at any of about 40 competitions around the world are eligible for the Platinum Judging. This year’s competition drew more than 600 wines from Washington, Oregon, British Columbia and Idaho.

For complete results, go to www.winepressnw.com.

Kiona Vineyards &Winery 2012 Chenin Blanc Ice Wine, Red Mountain, $25: The Williams family pioneered grape growing and winemaking on Red Mountain and has been making this luscious dessert wine for years. While this ice wine isn’t quite as rich and voluptuous as those we see from British Columbia, it does retain beautifully natural acidity and bright varietal flavors. This offers hints of honey, pear, orange blossom, peach and toasted pine nuts. (8.2 percent)

Jones of Washington 2013 Pinot Gris, Ancient Lakes of Columbia Valley, $13: Young Victor Palencia has a real touch with the grapes from the relatively cool Ancient Lakes region of Washington, and this Pinot Gris is simply stunning. It opens with gorgeous aromas of pear, lime and cotton candy, followed by flavors of tropical fruit, honeydew melon and citrus. (13.8 percent)

Pacific Rim Winemakers 2013 Twin Vineyards Gewürztraminer, Yakima Valley, $14: Sadly, we don’t see as many Gewürztraminers from Washington as we used to. But happily, we still can find examples such as this from Pacific Rim near Red Mountain. This is a classic Gewürz, thanks to aromas and flavors of lychee, rose water, yellow grapefruit and clove. (12.9 percent)

Upland Estates Winery 2010 Ampeli Ice Muscat of Alexandria, Snipes Mountain, $36: Winemaker Robert Smasne used grapes from vines planted in 1917 to craft this stunning dessert wine. Aromas and flavors of honeysuckle, jasmine, orange and tropical fruit intermingle behind bright acidity. (10.7 percent)

San Juan Vineyards 2013 Estate Siegerrebe, Puget Sound, $20: This stunning wine by Chris Primus in Friday Harbor, earned a remarkable five unanimous double gold medals from five sets of judges this year. Aromas of Asian pear, lychee and clove lead to flavors of pear, apple and pineapple. (12 percent)

Alexandria Nicole Cellars 2013 Destiny Ridge Vineyard Shepherds Mark, Horse Heaven Hills, $24: Owner/winemaker Jarrod Boyle has been crafting this Rhône-style white for years. It leads with Roussanne and includes Marsanne and Viognier. The creamy mouth feel is loaded with notes of Asian pear, apple and mango. (13.4 percent)

Northwest Cellars 2013 Sonatina, Columbia Valley, $19: This blend of Roussanne and Viognier is wildly aromatic on the nose and rich on the palate, with notes of pear, white peach, pineapple and papaya. (13.5 percent)

Rio Vista Wines 2013 Antoine Creek Vineyards Viognier, Columbia Valley, $27: Rio Vista is along the Columbia River north of Lake Chelan on Highway 97, and owner/winemaker John Little is crafting gorgeous wines. This offers aromas and flavors of pear, orange and clove, all backed with impressive acidity and a lengthy finish. (12.7 percent)

Swiftwater Cellars 2013 No. 9 Riesling, Columbia Valley, $18: California transplant Linda Trotta recently left this showpiece winery near the Cascade Mountains town of Cle Elum, but not before crafting this delicious Riesling from Olsen Brothers near Prosser. It is a pleasurable wine with aromas and flavors of tropical fruit, bright apple and persistent minerality. (12.5 percent)

Smasne Cellars 2013 Otis Vineyard Pinot Gris, Yakima Valley, $12: Winemaker Robert Smasne grew up next to these grapes and now gets to work with them professionally. He’s off to a impressive start, thanks to aromas and flavors of orange, sweet lime, sweet herbs and bright acidity. (13.5 percent)

Eric Degerman and Andy Perdue run Great Northwest Wine, a news and information company. Listen to their weekly podcast on iTunes or at www.greatnorthwestwine.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Brandon Hailey of Cytrus, center, plays the saxophone during a headlining show at Madam Lou’s on Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 in Seattle, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood-based funk octet Cytrus has the juice

Resilience and brotherhood take center stage with ‘friends-first’ band.

FILE - In this April 11, 2014 file photo, Neko Case performs at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival in Indio, Calif. Fire investigators are looking for the cause of a fire on Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, that heavily damaged Case’s 225-year-old Vermont home. There were no injuries, though a barn was destroyed. It took firefighters two hours to extinguish the blaze. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Singer-songwriter Neko Case, an indie music icon from Tacoma, performs Sunday in Edmonds.

Sarah Jean Muncey-Gordon puts on some BITCHSTIX lip oil at Bandbox Beauty Supply on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, in Langley, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Bandbox Beauty was made for Whidbey Island locals, by an island local

Founder Sarah Muncey-Gordon said Langley is in a renaissance, and she’s proud to be a part of it.

Dominic Arizona Bonuccelli
Tangier’s market boasts piles of fruits, veggies, and olives, countless varieties of bread, and nonperishables, like clothing and electronics.
Rick Steves on the cultural kaleidoscope of Tangier in Morocco

Walking through the city, I think to myself, “How could anyone be in southern Spain — so close — and not hop over to experience this wonderland?”

Byrds co-founder Roger McGuinn, seen here in 2013, will perform April 20 in Edmonds. (Associated Press)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

R0ck ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Roger McGuinn, frontman of The Byrds, plans a gig in Edmonds in April.

Mother giving in to the manipulation her daughter fake crying for candy
Can children be bribed into good behavior?

Only in the short term. What we want to do is promote good habits over the course of the child’s life.

Speech Bubble Puzzle and Discussion
When conflict flares, keep calm and stand your ground

Most adults don’t like dissension. They avoid it, try to get around it, under it, or over it.

The colorful Nyhavn neighborhood is the place to moor on a sunny day in Copenhagen. (Cameron Hewitt)
Rick Steves: Embrace hygge and save cash in Copenhagen

Where else would Hans Christian Andersen, a mermaid statue and lovingly decorated open-face sandwiches be the icons of a major capital?

Last Call is a festured artist at the 2024 DeMiero Jazz Festival: in Edmonds. (Photo provided by DeMiero Jazz Festival)
Music, theater and more: What’s happening in Snohomish County

Jazz ensemble Last Call is one of the featured artists at the DeMiero Jazz Festival on March 7-9 in Edmonds.

Kim Helleren
Local children’s author to read at Edmonds Bookshop

Kim Helleren will read from one of her books for kids at the next monthly Story Time at Edmonds Bookshop on March 29.

Chris Elliott
Lyft surprises traveler with a $150 cleaning charge

Jared Hakimi finds a $150 charge on his credit card after a Lyft ride. Is that allowed? And will the charge stick?

Inside Elle Marie Hair Studio in Smokey Point. (Provided by Acacia Delzer)
The best hair salon in Snohomish County

You voted, we tallied. Here are the results.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.