Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1050740
november 2018 / the tasting panel / 63 91 Eponymous 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($60) Memorably rich and toasty nose; a dense and smooth release with ripe, concentrated flavors from Robert Pepi, who sold his name to Jackson Family Wines. 91 Tablas Creek Vineyard 2017 Grenache Blanc, Adelaida District, Paso Robles ($30) The spicy nose precedes a lush, aromatic flavor profile centered around a core of crisp acidity. Deep and nicely balanced from a great Paso winery, this wine represents a variety that's quickly gaining traction. VINEYARD BRANDS IMPORTED 93 Tenuta Torcalvano 2015 Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG, Italy ($30) Silky-smooth with elegant, juicy cherry and berry fruit; lush and earthy, it's a classic example of a fine, underappreciated appellation. KOBRAND WINE AND SPIRITS 94 Badia a Coltibuono 2013 Montebello, Toscana IGT, Italy ($60) Pleasantly ripe nose with deep flavors of plum and spice balanced by tangy acidity. This an exquisite expression of Sangiovese—a masterful wine that speaks articulately of Tuscany. DALLA TERRA 98 Taittinger 2007 Blanc de Blancs Champagne Comtes de Champagne, France ($215) A stunningly beautiful wine with seductive aromas and precise, refined flavors; bright, crisp, and exceptionally long, it shows purity and finesse. KOBRAND WINE AND SPIRITS 90 Chateau Remo Winery 2014 Hosen Blend, Galilee, Israel ($30) Gentle and luscious with spice, herbal notes, and silky texture, this is an impressive effort from a self- proclaimed "new player on the Israeli wine scene." Kosher. ROYAL WINE CORP. 93 Kay Brothers Amery Vineyard Block 6 2014 Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia ($120) Rich, zesty nose; silky, tangy, and pure with notes of black raspberry and amazing depth. Made from 122-year-old vines, it's a release representative of the oldest winery in the region. QUINTESSENTIAL WINES 92 Chamonix 2014 Reserve Chardonnay, Franschhoek, South Africa ($55) Lush and full- bodied with deep toast and vanilla oak from a winery located on the eastern slopes of the Franschhoek mountains. Creamy, deep, and long, it has a confident core of tangy acidity. VINEYARD BRANDS VALUE 88 Old Soul Vineyards 2016 Petite Sirah, California ($15) A nose tinged with chocolate and spice precedes a dense, rich flavor profile; tangy, bright, and juicy, it's a good value. 92 Spoken Barrel 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($20) Intense ruby hue; smooth and verdant with hints of plum and spice, velvety texture, and perfect balance. Layered and complex, this wine shows finesse and fine style bolstered by its long finish and substantial depth. CONSTELLATION BRANDS 90 Ramon Cardova 2017 Rosado, Rioja DOC, Spain ($14) Bright and tangy with a silky texture and juicy berry flavors that lean dry; a fresh, smooth, and charming rosé, it blends Garnacha and Viura grapes and shows good length. 90 Smoke Tree Wines 2017 Rosé, California ($22) Soft nose dominated by peach; dry, luscious, and crisp with notes of nectarine and apple. Fresh and racy with a lush finish, this salmon-pink release blends 44% Zinfandel, 40% Grenache, 8% Mourvèdre, and 8% Syrah. 90 Franz Keller 2017 Pinot Blanc Schwarzer Adler, Vom Loss, Baden, Germany ($25) Dry and fresh with succulent fruit notes and bright acidity; silky, crisp, and balanced. SCHMITT SÖHNE USA 86 Schmitt Söhne 2016 Relax Pinot Noir, Pfalz, Germany ($10) Pale ruby color with a soft berry nose; silky, bright, and dry; clean, long, and fresh. SCHMITT SÖHNE USA