Cedergreen Cellars 2017 Gamay Noir, $27

Rating: OUTSTANDING!

Kevin Cedergreen dialed in his Gamay Noir program virtually immediately, starting with the 2015 vintage and pulling from Skyline Vineyard, a planting at more than 1,100 feet elevation in the Columbia Basin. Tank-fermented and allowed to age 18 months in a puncheon, this is an elegant, light-bodied wine with a lot of personality. Aromas of pomegranate, cranberry sauce and summer rain meet you at the glass. Sublime tannins and juiciness keep the bright sensations moving around your mouth as raspberry, damp earth and freesia flowers deliver a satisfying conclusion. Suggested pairings include lamb, roast turkey or salmon. This summer, it earned a gold medal in the 2020 Cascadia International Wine Competition.

GREAT NW WINE Review- August 5, 2020