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.

2012 BLACK - Red Wine Blend

2012 BLACK
Red Wine Blend
Columbia Valley
13.9% Alc

BLACK combines multiple wines from our 2012 vintage.  Through constant tasting and testing of each barrel of wine during the aging process, we select the barrels of wine that offer the best representation of each varietal to create this savory, well balanced red wine blend. 
BLACK is comprised of 36% Syrah from Lewis Family Vineyard, and Alder Ridge Vineyard contributed 27% Cabernet Franc, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon and 17% Merlot into this wine. BLACK was aged for 30 months in 50% French Oak and 50% American oak barrels, both once-used. 

2012 The Descendant Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon
Columbia Valley
13.9% Alc. by Vol.

The Descendant is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, 50% from Lewis Family Vineyard and 50% from Alder Ridge Vineyard.

This is a Cabernet lover's Cab. This wine demonstrates everything that winemakers love in this grape, from the firm tannins and balanced acid, to the deep rich dark flavors of ripe black cherries and soft cedar. This wine was aged on 100% French Oak which contributes to the warm vanilla and espresso finish.

This wine can be enjoyed now and will definitely age well and develop additional complexity over the next 5 years. 

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.

2011 Long Road Red Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon
Yakima Valley
13.4% Alc. by Vol.

The 2011 Long Road Red is 98% Cabernet Sauvignon from Lewis Vineyard and Alder Ridge Vineyard, blended with 2% Merlot from Alice Vineyard on the Wahluke Slope.  Much like raising spirited children, Long Road Red represents the love and commitment necessary to raise good wine. On every step of the path, we kept our promise to the wine. From the long haul across the Cascades to harvest the grapes, to the 18 months we aged the wine in 50% new French and American Oak, we developed this beautiful wine to highlight its dark fruit, balanced with a long, savory finish.  We are excited to have Long Road Red reach maturity and be ready for your table.