Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/101724
BLUE REVIEWS Lagarde 2010 Primeras Viñas Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($49) Dark, intense and concentrated with blackberry, black cherry, raisin and seductive spice; huge and powerful but loaded with nuance and complexity, even elegance; a stunning wine that is beginning to sort itself out; the future is very bright. Brancaia 2009 Ilatraia, Maremma Toscana, Italy ($60) Lush and dense with smooth, concentrated flavors of plum, spice and soft herbs; rich, seamless and long, complex and balanced; vivid and lovely. 92 DANGEROUS WINE GROUP La Selva 2009 Collo dell'Uccellina, Morellino di Scansano, Italy ($21) Dark, smooth and polished with deep, ripe blackberry and lovely cassis and plum fruit; supple, excellent texture and a long, balanced finish. Organic. 90 OMNI WINES Rosemount Estate 2010 Syrah, Balmoral, McLaren Vale, Australia ($45) There's a reason this Aussie beauty is called Syrah instead of Shiraz; silky and smooth with ripe black raspberry and blueberry; balanced, vivid and spicy with lovely finesse and style. 91 TREASURY WINE ESTATES Lapostolle 2010 Canto de Apalta, Rapel Valley, Chile ($20) Juicy black plum backed with tangy acidity; dense and ripe with balance and style (you see, Carmenère doesn't have to taste like toasted green herbs!); 36% Carmenère, 31% Merlot, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah. 90 VALUE AND BY-THE-GLASS RECOMMENDATIONS Columbia Crest 2009 Grand Estates Merlot, Columbia Valley ($12) A measure of whole-cluster fermentation adds intensity and breadth to the rich plum and berry flavors of this over-achieving wine; ripe and juicy, tangy and fresh with purity and fine balance. 90 STE. MICHELLE WINE ESTATES Essay 2011 Chenin Blanc (Steen), South Africa ($10) Creamy texture and lovely varietal aromatics (there's a touch of Viognier) with clean, racy acidity; quite charming. 88 VINEYARD BRANDS Tin Roof 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, California ($10) Grapefruit and melon fruit predominate in this quaffable Sauv Blanc with tangy acidity and pleasant texture; clean and long on the finish. 88 90 EMPSON USA Castello di Bolgheri 2007 Bolgheri Superiore, Italy ($65) Dense yet refined, with lovely plum and cassis fruit, alluring spice and meaty flavors balanced by juicy style; seamless, deep and showing considerable aging potential. 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc. 93 TOTAL BEVERAGE SOLUTION 62 / the tasting panel / january 2013 88 VINEYARD BRANDS E&J GALLO TERLATO WINES INTERNATIONAL Bellavista 2007 Uccellanda Chardonnay, Franciacorta, Italy ($46) Smooth, clean and bright with pure fruit and lovely balance; deep, silky and elegant with good acid structure and length. MAN Vintners 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Coastal Region, South Africa ($11) Smooth and ripe with sweet plum fruit; spicy and rich with notes of mint and tangy acidity. 91 O'NEILL VINTNERS Enza Prosecco, Treviso, Italy ($15) A delightful Prosecco from veteran importers Bill and Peter Deutsch; tangy, crisp and balanced with dry but juicy notes of peach and citrus. 88 DEUTSCH FAMILY WINE & SPIRITS Peñalolen 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, Limarí Valley, Chile ($13) Grapefruit and juicy citrus with racy acidity and clean, fresh style; tangy, smooth and long with good balance and vibrancy. 88 GLOBAL VINEYARD IMPORTERS Tahuan 2010 Bonarda, Siesta en el Tahuantinsuyu, Mendoza, Argentina ($15) Another winner from Ernesto Catena, of Argentina's celebrated wine family; generous plum, cassis and blueberry; lovely depth and seamless flavors laced with subtle oak and showing excellent length. 89 VINEYARD BRANDS Mionetto Il Spri!z, Veneto, Italy ($15) This charming readyto-drink aperitif combines frizzante wine and natural fruit flavors; crisp and sparkling with authentic orange notes and some bitter herbs; fresh and balanced with bracing flavors. 88 MIONETTO USA INC. Bogle Vineyards 2009 Essential Red, California ($11) Smooth, spicy and full with generous flavors of ripe berries and spice; long, deep, rich and quite stylish for this modest price point. 88 Poggio Argentiera 2011 Maremmante, Maremma Toscana, Italy ($11) A Rhône-style blend (90% Syrah, 10% Alicante) from Tuscany's Maremma with tangy acidity, ripe, toasted plum and earthy notes; lush and fleshy with with ripe flavors and good balance. 88 EMPSON USA