Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1013885
80 / the tasting panel / august 2018 WINES Noble Vines 2015 337 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi ($15) Ripe currant and boysen- berry greet the nose and pave the way for a ripeness that plays on the mouthwatering nature of this deli- cious red. Dark chocolate and sour cherries seem Old World alongside the bright acidity and caramel-oak finish. 92 DELICATO FAMILY VINEYARDS Calera 2015 Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir de Villiers Vineyard, Mt. Harlan AVA ($60) From the remote Gabilan Mountains on California's Central Coast, this high-elevation Pinot Noir from approximately 2,200 feet above sea level features some of the oldest vines in the region. Calera is one of the only wineries in the world to "own" its entire appellation, similar to Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Burgundy, where Calera founder Josh Jensen worked in the early 1970s before launching Calera in 1975. This curvy, dark-fruited wine opens with earth and bramble, while black raspberry and root beer get perked up by white pepper and blackberry-laden cedar. It's hefty, but dreamy. 96 DUCKHORN WINE CO. Murphy-Goode 2016 Chardonnay, California ($14) This wine is well-balanced from nose to palate with caramel apple and ripe pears. The palate is rich with food-friendly acidity, and the fruit is vibrant thanks to fermenta- tion mainly in stainless steel. 90 JACKSON FAMILY WINES Ancient Peaks 2016 Zinfandel, Santa Margarita Ranch, Paso Robles ($20) This stellar red shows off an array of exciting flavors—we first tried it at Paso Robles Somm Camp and it became one of the most popular wines of the event. Grown on soils that range from sandstone to petrified oyster shells and white sand, this wine exhibits a rich, grainy tannin sensa- tion that turns creamy on the mid-palate. Aromas and flavors of lavender and cocoa nibs charm as cherry and plum generously wash across the mouth before a finish of cola and toasted oak woven into a bouquet of blue flowers. Aged 16 months in French and American oak, this wine has a low ABV of 13.5%, which further explains the elegance and balance. 94 In each issue, The Tasting Panel's Publisher and Editorial Director Meridith May selects her favorite wines and spirits of the month. Check here for the latest arrivals in our offices, the hottest new brands on the market, and an occasional revisited classic. Publisher's Worthy of a smooch. French-style double bizou. Wildly infatuated. Seriously smitten. Head over heels in love. PICKS PHOTO: ALEXANDER RUBIN