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Best White Wine - The Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition

Our 2022 Pinot Gris was selected as the Best White Wine out of over 100 wines invited by Northwest wine professionals and tasted blind at this year's Great Northwest Invitational Wine Competition.

Great Northwest Wine conducts a one-of-a-kind wine competition each October. The 11th annual judging was staged on October 3-5, 2023 at the historic Columbia Gorge Hotel & Spa in Hood River, Oregon.

 

Nominating Judges For The 2023 Great Northwest Invite Include:

Jusden Aumand is the head buyer for Tri-Vin Imports, New Rochelle, N.Y.

Kaleigh Brook, an advanced sommelier, is the manager/wine buyer at The Thief Fine Wine & Beer Shop in Walla Walla, Wash.

Jeff Cox is the wine buyer for PCC Natural Markets in the Puget Sound.

VJ Gandhi is the founder/CEO of Kascadia Wine Merchants in Los Gatos, Calif.

Carl Giavanti is publicist/proprietor of Carl Giavanti Consulting in Portland, Ore.

Clinton Hoiland, based in Lewiston, Idaho, handles Northern Idaho on- and off-premise sales for Idaho Wine Merchant and is owner/operator of Twisted Vine Wine Tours throughout the Lewis-Clark Valley.

Chris Horn is director of liquids at the Heavy Restaurant Group based in Seattle and co-author of Cook + Cork.

Lane Hoss is the wine buyer and VP of operations for Anthony’s Restaurants.

Ellen Landis is a certified sommelier, journalist and renowned international wine judge with offices in St. Petersburg, Fla., and Windsor, Calif.

Allison M. Markin is a columnist/wine writer for Castanet Media and principal of AllSheWrote.ca in Penticton, British Columbia.

Tim McDonald is the founder of Wine & Spirits Spoken Here in Napa, Calif.

JD Nolan is a certified sommelier/wine buyer/general manager/owner of Fat Olives Restaurants in Richland, Wash., and Homer, Alaska.

Dave Smith is director of buying for Everything Wine in North Vancouver, British Columbia.

Steven Sinkler is the proprietor of The Wine Shack in Cannon Beach, Ore.

Mark Takagi is specialty sales director of the Seattle-based Metropolitan Market group.

Paul Zitarelli is the founder/owner of Full Pull Wines in Seattle and author of 36 Bottles of Wine.

Dana Van Nest, a Seattle-based communications strategist and contributor for Great Northwest Wine Magazine and other regional publications, and Great Northwest Wine columnist Elizabeth Moss-Woerman will serve as chief judges for the Great Northwest Invitational.

    

90 Points - Wine & Spirits

Our 2021 Chardonnay has been awarded a 90-point score by Wine & Spirits Magazine.

"A golden-apple sweetness and biscuity lees note create a winning combo in this simple chardonnay. Lightly oaked, it’s Mâconnais-crisp with juicy pear flavors." —Patrick J. Comiskey

This review was published in April 2023 to subscribers at wineandspiritsmagazine.com

 

90 Points - Decanter

Our 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé has been awarded a 90-point score by Decanter.

"Aromatics of sweet mandarin and apricot alongside a savoury note announce this rosé of Pinot Noir. The palate is fresh and red berry fruited but with ample spice, savoury hints and a lot more structure than you'd typically expect from wines of this style. As such, pair this with grilled meats; you'll find it well-suited." - Clive Pursehouse

This review was published in July 2023 to subscribers at decanter.com

93 Points - Paul Gregutt

Our 2021 Temperance Hill Pinot Noir has been awarded a 93-point score by Paul Gregutt.

"Pike Road 2021 Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir – This cool site is a good match for Elk Cove's estate vineyards, showing savory/floral highlights around tightly wound, wild berry fruit. Just a touch of new French oak adds hints of spice and tobacco through the finish. Dark-fruited and slightly earthy, this lovely wine will need decanting to show its best." - Paul Gregutt

This review was published in August 2023. Read the full article at paulgregutt.substack.com

90 Points - Paul Gregutt

Our 2021 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir has been awarded a 90-point score by Paul Gregutt.

"This is the least expensive Pike Road Pinot Noir among the 17 (!) that are currently listed for sale on the winery website. All stainless steel fermentation keeps costs down and livelies up the fruit. Beetroot and bright berry flavors, along with juicy acids, are the story here. It's fresh, clean and crisp; a no-frills style and a fine value." - Paul Gregutt

This review was published in August 2023. Read the full article at paulgregutt.substack.com

91 Points - Paul Gregutt

Our 2022 Pinot Noir Rosé has been awarded a 91-point score by Paul Gregutt.

"Produced with free run Pinot Noir juice, this stylish rosé fills the palate with flavors of mint, bubblegum, watermelon and white strawberries. Give it a good chill to bring up the energy and sharpen the acids. It has wonderful persistence even after being open a full 24 hours. Although I don't often recommend aging rosé, this is one that should do quite well over the next two or three years." - Paul Gregutt

This review was published in August 2023. Read the full article at paulgregutt.substack.com

91 Points - Paul Gregutt

Our 2021 Chardonnay has been awarded a 91-point score by Paul Gregutt.

"Pike Road has jumped into a much-needed category for Willamette Valley wineries – varietal wines from top tier fruit priced under $20. Make no mistake – I love Oregon Chardonnays, though often the finest examples are priced well beyond the pocketbooks of most wine drinkers. This is done in a lighter style, given just the merest hint of new oak, but spends enough time in mostly neutral wood to avoid the overly bright harshness that can sometimes come with all-stainless fermentation. Lovely flavors of cucumber, green melon and banana, coupled with a finishing touch of butter, pull this into focus through a lingering finish. The screwcap ensures freshness and no musty notes." - Paul Gregutt

This review was published in August 2023. Read the full article at paulgregutt.substack.com

94 Points & "Editors' Choice" - Wine Enthusiast

Our 2021 Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir has been awarded a 94-point score and "Editors' Choice" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

"This balanced wine has one of my favorite aromas of all time—the caramel and brioche-like cookie scents of a Stroopwafel cookie. These divine scents are joined by red cherries and chalkboard dust. Raspberry, dark chocolate and espresso flavors are supported by velvety tannins and slightly elevated acidity. Editors’ Choice." —Michael Alberty

This score publishes in the October 2023 issue of the magazine and to subscribers at wineenthusiast.com.

92 Points & "Best Buy" - Wine Enthusiast

Our 2021 Pinot Noir Willamette Valley has been awarded a 92-point score and "Best Buy" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

"This medium-bodied dazzler is packing some brawny tannins to back rich flavors of red raspberries, bittersweet dark chocolate and a meaty quality similar to baked Thai chicken wings. Equally juicy aromas match blackcap raspberry jam with bursts of coriander and talc. Very difficult to beat for twenty dollars. Best Buy." —Michael Alberty

This score publishes in the October 2023 issue of the magazine and to subscribers at wineenthusiast.com.

91 Points & "Best Buy" - Wine Enthusiast

Our 2021 Chardonnay Willamette Valley has been awarded a 91-point score and "Best Buy" from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

"Golden Delicious apple and sweet Elberta peach aromas encircle the head, with a touch of thyme and spicy cinnamon basil. This is a crisp, lighter-bodied Chardonnay that delivers white peach, lime and saline flavors on a laser beam of acidity. It will be difficult to resist a second glass. Best Buy" —Michael Alberty

This score publishes in the October 2023 issue of the magazine and to subscribers at wineenthusiast.com.