Viscon Cellars Long Road Red Cabernet Sauvignon wins Double Platinum

We are honored to report that our 2011 Long Road Red just picked up a "Best of the Best" award from Wine Press Northwest. (Two of our 2012 offerings, the Unforeseen and the Heart Box Red, earned Gold awards.)

That's our double platinum winner  third from the left.

How the Platinum is Conducted

Wine Press Northwest created the Platinum Judging in 2000 as a way to determine some of the best wines of the Pacific Northwest.

To accomplish this, we chart more than 40 professionally judged wine competitions worldwide to track the gold medals won by fruit from Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia. In 2016, Northwest wineries were awarded more than 1,600 gold medals at professional judgings.

These wines are categorized and judged blind during three days by three panels of wine experts, who award wines with Double Platinum, Platinum, Double Gold and Best Buy. A wine is awarded a medal based on how a majority of the judges voted. In the case when all the judges on a panel deem the wine a Platinum, that wine is awarded a unanimous Double Platinum.

DOUBLE PLATINUM

Viscon Cellars 2011 Long Road Red Cabernet Sauvignon, Yakima Valley • $32
Ben Viscon relied on Lewis Vineyard and an 18-month barrel program to produce what’s now a subtle Cab that shows nice handling of tannins, good varietal expression and has good aging potential for handful of more years. (125 cases, 13.4% alc.) Award: Seattle Wine Awards (gold).

Read the full list of winners here.

2011 NOIR - Red Wine Blend

NOIR Red Blend
Columbia Valley
14.0% Alc. by Vol.

NOIR is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Syrah. 40% of the Cabernet Sauvignon comes from Lewis Family Vineyard and 20% from Alder Ridge Vineyard, with the Syrah also coming from Lewis Family Vineyard.  This wine was aged in 100% French Oak which lends to its complexity and balance.

The Cabernet Sauvignon provides a firm structure while showcasing the beautiful fruit from these two vineyards, releasing the signature flavors of ripe blackberries and blueberries. The Syrah adds in flavors of deep baked plum and a slight spice of black pepper. This wine finishes with a touch of vanilla and baked cloves. Enjoy this wine now or hide it away to savor the development of flavors over the next 5 years or so.

2011 BLACK - Red Wine Blend

Red Blend
Columbia Valley
14.0% Alc. by Vol.

Black combines multiple wines for its own unique flavor profile.  Black is a blendof 84% Cabernet Sauvignon from Alder Ridge and Lewis Vineyard, topped with 16% Lewis Vineyard Syrah and aged for 18 months in new 50% French and American Oak.  With its soft palate and hints of cherry and vanilla, Black is a beautiful glass of wine to be enjoyed today or in a few years.       

2011 Two Strangers Syrah

Syrah
Lewis Family Vineyards
13.6% Alc. by Vol.

The 2011 Two Strangers Syrah is a blend of two French varietals, 98% Syrah and 2% Cabernet Sauvignon, both from Lewis vineyard. Like the name, these two “strangers from the same place” were aged together in 50% new French and American Oak barrels for 18 months to create a wine with toasty oak, raspberries and licorice tones. Pour a glass of Two Strangers for a new friend or an old friend and spark your shared love of a great wine.  

2011 Heart Box Red Merlot

Merlot
Wahluke Slope
13.0% Alc. by Vol.

Heart Box Red will capture your heart. We named this wine Heart Box Red after our oldest daughter’s practice of catching and locking our kisses in her “heart box” so she could take the kisses out whenever she needed one. Like us, you will find yourself wishing for one more pour of this delightful wine.  

The 2011 Heart Box Red is 93% Merlot from Alice Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope, blended with 7% Cabernet Sauvignon from Lewis Vineyard. We aged the Merlot on 50% new French and American Oak for 18 months to bring out the true flavors of the grapes. This wine exemplifies the delicious varietal characteristics of a Washington Merlot.