Recent Wine Awards & Press 

Seattle Wine Awards PDF

The Bellingham Herald feature article

The 2009 World Wine Championships is pleased to recognize Brian Carter Cellars 2006 Tuttorosso-Silver Medal, 89 points "Highly Recommended" and Brian Carter Cellars 2006 Byzance. Gold Medal, 90 points, "Exceptional".

Brian's 2006 Oriana was awarded 2nd place by local Sommeliers at the 7th annual Rose Revival and other Interesting Whites event at Ray's Boathouse on June 3rd! A peoples choice award was given as well and Oriana was awarded 3rd place by the 300 attendees. Plan on attending this event next year. www.seattleuncorked.com

Seattle Magazine  April 2009
Best Rhone Blend
2005 Byzance

February 2009
Seattle Times NW Weekend Spend a day in Woodinville Wine Country

January 2009
2008 Platinum Judging: Best of the best in the great Northwest
By Andy Perdue, Wine Press Northwest
This year marked our ninth annual Platinum Judging, in which we attempt to identify some of the best of the best in the Great Northwest. By far, this was our largest judging, as we received 329 entries in this by-invitation-only competition. This surpassed last year's record number of 259.All wines in the Platinum earned their way in by winning a gold medal or equivalent in any of about 30 regional, national and international competitions we track.

Brian Carter Cellars 2004 Solesce, Columbia Valley, $58 After a couple of decades making wine for others, Brian Carter has emerged with his own brand and is focused on producing blends of elegance and distinction. This Bordeaux-style blend is dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) and also includes Merlot, Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The result is a wine that offers aromas of toffee, mushrooms and blackberries, followed by harmonious flavors of marionberries, black tea, black plums and dark chocolate. Washington State Wine Competition (gold). (347 cases, 13.8% alc.)

Brian Carter Cellars 2005 Tuttorosso, Yakima Valley, $30 This is Brian Carter's version of a Super Tuscan. It's dominated by Sangiovese (65%) and includes Cabernet Sauvignon (23%) and Syrah. It provides aromas and flavors of cherries, raspberries and baker's chocolate. It's a beautifully made wine that is well balanced through the long finish. Washington State Wine Competition (gold). (834 cases, 13.7% alc.)

Ray's 22nd Annual Retrospective of Northwest Wines
Best Red Blend:  Brian Carter Cellars 'Tuttorosso', Yakima Valley 2005
Every January, Ray's wine director gathers sommeliers, wine writers and Northwest wine experts to blind taste Northwest wines released in the previous year. The wines are submitted to Ray's by the winemakers and their distributors. All Washington, Oregon, Idaho and British Columbia wineries that produce grape-based wines are eligible to participate.

December 2008
Paul Gregutt Top 100 Washington Wines of 2008
2006 Oriana

November 2008
Pacific Northwest Magazine Six Savvy Young Wineries to Watch

November 2008
Tri-Cities Wine Festival
2005 Byzance Gold
2005 Tuttorosso Silver
2004 Solesce Silver
2005 L’Etalon Bronze

November 2008 
Stephen Tanzer
2006 Oriana 88 points
2005 Tuttorosso 88 points
2005 Byzance 88 points
2005 L’Etalon 87+ points
2006 Abracadabra 87 points

Parkers Wine Buyer’s Guide #7
Washington’s Best Producers-Excellent
2003 Abracadabra 87 pts
2004 Byzance 89 pts
2003 L’Etalon 91+ pts
2005 Oriana 90 pts
2001 Solesce 91+ pts
2003 Tuttorosso 90 pts

September 2008
Seattle Metropolitan Magazine 100 Best Wines of the Northwest
2004 Solesce
2005 Byzance
2005 Tuttorosso
2005 Abracadabra Top 15- Frugal Shopping

2008 Seattle Wine Awards
Seattle Wine Magazine
2005 Oriana Best White Blend Over $20.00
2005 Tuttorosso Grand Award of Excellence
2004 Byzance Grand Award of Excellence
2004 L’Etalon Grand Award of Excellence
2004 Solesce Grand Award of Excellence

July 2008
Q13/  Woodinville Wine Country

June 2008
Wine Advocate
2004 Solesce - 90+ points
2005 L'Etalon - 89 points
2005 Tuttorosso - 89 points
2006 Oriana - 88 points
2005 Byzance - 87 points
2005 Abracadabra - 87 points
Wine Spectator
2005 Byzance - 89 points
2004 L'Etalon - 87 points
2006 Oriana - 88 points

MAY 2008
Seattle Wine Awards
2004 Byzance - Outstanding
2004 Solesce - Outstanding
2004 L'Etalon - Outstanding
2005 Tuttorosso - Outstanding

APRIL 2008 
Seattle Magazine
2005 Oriana - Best White Wine Blend over $20

MARCH 2008
Wine Enthusiast
2006 Oriana 92 points
Seattle Times | Brian Carter blends wine like nobody's business

FEBURARY 2008 
Beverage Testing Institute
2004 Solesce Platinum award 96 points "Superlative"
2004 L'Etalon Gold award 90 points "Exceptional"
 
JANUARY 2008
Seattle Times/2004 L'Etalon 1 of the top Washington 100 wines - Paul Gregutt

AUGUST 2007
Auction of Washington Wines Raises $1.95 Million (PDF)

Wine & Spirits magazine | Sharp Dressed Man Brian Carter (PDF)

NOVEMBER 2006
Dan Berger’s Vintage Experiences
Updates and Comments
Brian Carter – commenting on Brettanomyces

OCTOBER 2006
Seattle Times
How to Eat, Drink and be Merry – ON WINE – Richard Kinssies
“...Richard Kinssies current favorites for parties, gifts, or special dinners.”

SEPTEMBER 2006
Seattle Magazine
Label Maker – After 30 Years, Vintner Brian Carter Launches his Own Line of Wines

FEBRUARY 2006
Wine-Online-Shopping.com
Celebrated Winemaker Brian Carter Launches New Winery: Brian Carter Cellars

MARCH 2004
Seattle Times
Reaching the Apex
Brian Carter – winemaker for Apex Cellars, Washington Hills, W.B. Bridgman and Brian Carter Solesce, his own premium Bordeaux-style red wine blend

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 1998
The Wine News
Brian Carter – Washington State’s Red Wine Master
Brian Carter – winemaker for Washington Hills, Apex and W.B. Bridgman

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 1991
Grapeline Northwest
COVER: Brian Carter – Award-winning Winemaker
Brian Carter – winemaker for Washington Hills and Apex

MAY 1990
Grapeline Northwest
Washington Hills, New State Product Proves to be Success
Brian Carter – winemaker for Washington Hills

SEPTEMBER 1989
Grapeline Northwest
Wine Exporter (Thomas Hedges) Selling Bulk Wines to Sweden
Brian Carter – Contractor

OCTOBER 1986
New York Times
Pioneering Wineries West of the Cascades
Brian Carter – winemaker for Paul Thomas

SEPTEMBER 1986
The Weekly
Fruit Wines Worth Drinking
Brian Carter – winemaker for Paul Thomas