Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1013885
78 / the tasting panel / august 2018 BLUE REVIEWS 90 Pighin 2017 Estate Pinot Grigio, Friuli Grave DOC ($14) Bright, crisp, and minerally with structure and depth; rich and fresh with balance and length; produced with no oak contact or malolactic fermentation. This is how to make Pinot Grigio with character. KOBRAND WINE & SPIRITS 90 Plantaže 2013 Crnogorski Vranac Barrique, Lake Skadar, Montenegro ($25) Robust ruby color ; smooth, dense, and rich; meaty and complex; an exciting wine from an unusual location. BOZIC'S IMPORTS & WHOLESALE LIQUORS 91 Tenuta di Nozzole 2016 Villa Nozzole Chianti Classico DOCG, Italy ($25) Ripe, smooth, and deeply satisfying; densely concentrated notes of rich plum and tangy blackberry; another well-made Folonari wine. KOBRAND WINE & SPIRITS 88 Kim Crawford 2017 Signature Reserve Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($25) The nose says earth and spice, but the flavor says citrus; refreshing, tart, and tangy with a long finish; a solid effort, but it's clear Kim has left the building. CONSTELLATION BRANDS 89 Tenuta Sant'Antonio 2017 Scaia Rosato, Veneto IGT, Italy ($13) Fresh and smooth with ripe and tangy peach-raspberry notes; lush, bright, and long; a terrific value. DALLA TERRA WINERY D IRECT 91 Bodvár 2017 N° 5 Rosé, Côtes de Provence, France ($25) Silky and crisp with dry yet succulent berry fruit; refreshingly bright, long, and racy. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, and Vermentino. MERCHANT VINTNER IMPORTS 88 Pike Road 2017 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley ($16) Gentle and plush with a nice twinge of acidity; balanced and long from a cooler vintage in Oregon. 88 The Archivist 2016 Chardonnay, Monterey County ($18) Smooth and rich; showing soft oak and juicy acidity; clean on the palate with a lengthy finish. WINE TREES USA 88 Barrelhouse 2016 Bourbon Barrel Aged Red Blend, California ($13) Luscious and ripe; rich yet refreshing and very drinkable; balanced notes of ripe plum and toast. Aged in bourbon barrels for three months. AWD-USA SPIRITS 92 Sierra Norte Single Barrel Mexican Whiskey, Mexico ($49) Toasted nose; smooth and silky with pronounced notes of corn and spice; mellow, long, and impressively deep. 85% yellow corn, 15% malted barley. CABALLEROS INC. 90 Dos Ron Rum 8 Años, Dominican Republic ($35) Bright amber color with a rich caramel nose; creamy, lush, and sweet with notes of vanilla and tropical spice from a brand that recently made its U.S. debut. RHINO GLOBAL ENTERPRISES 93 Heaven's Door Tennessee Straight Bourbon Whiskey, USA ($50) Smooth and toasty with a lush texture and notes of tea, chocolate, and spice box; complex, elegant, and refined from an award- winning brand co-created by Bob Dylan. 92 Los Nahuales Método Antiguo, Mexico ($72) Lush smoky nose; fleshy, earthy, and dense; spicy, complex, and rustic with an enduringly smooth finish. Produced by a distillery in Santiago Matatlan, Oaxaca. CRAFT DISTILLERS 91 Sugarland Distilling Company Strawberry Dream Appalachian Sippin' Cream, USA ($25) Light pink color ; soft, fruity nose with a smooth, creamy texture; refreshingly authentic strawberry flavor with a nice kick on the finish. 93 Dimmi Liquore Di Milano, Italy ($34) Clear and fragrant; sweet and spiced with notes of orange, white flowers, and cinnamon; smooth and long. This wheat distillate–based spirit undergoes two infusions with various botanicals and other ingredients. SAZERAC COMPANY 91 Phillips Distilling Company Douglas & Todd Small Batch Bourbon Whiskey, USA ($35) Refined, pure, and toasted with a silky texture and clean, spiced flavors; bright, refreshing, and simple. Aged a minimum of four years in handmade oak barrels at the brand's Minnesota distillery. 94 Phillips Distilling Company Prairie Organic Vodka, USA ($20) Incredibly smooth and creamy with expressively authentic hints of vanilla— what more could you ask? And it's organic! Outstanding.