Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/1787
Blue Reviews august 2009 / the tasting panel / 43 In each issue THE TASTING PANEL's Publisher and Executive Editor, 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 revis- ited classic. wines 90 Concannon 2006 Petite Sirah, Limited Release, Central Coast ($15) A varietal classic; more French than Californian on the palate, with blackberry and blueberry notes without the jammy factor; a nice surprise that over-delivers for the price. THE WINE GROUP 89 Long Meadow Ranch 2005 Cab- ernet Sauvignon, E. J. Church, Rutherford, Napa Valley ($85) Bright and rich, with a spicy zing and a deep espresso nose; powerful without the matching tannins; gripping yet satin-smooth with a peppery, beefy finish. 93 Knights Bridge 2007 Chardon- nay, West Block, Sonoma County ($65) Toffee nose; lemon-lime; unfined and unfiltered; a weighty middle and stony, mineral back. 89 Clos Poggiale 2005 Vin de Corse, France ($28) This blend of Sangio- vese and Syrah is elegant yet speaks of rustic, Old World Mediterranean soil; ripe plum and summer raspberries are encased in a choco- late-caramel core. SKALLI/ST. SUPERY spirits 90 Gran Sierpe Pisco, Peru ($20) This clean and sweet-ish pisco is made exclusively from Quebranta grapes; the heaven- ly flavors run from cherries to lime, with focus. ARTISAN BRANDS 90 Pinky Vodka, Sweden ($33) A spicy bed of rose petals surrounded by sumptuous violets and steeped in white pep- pered satin. 92 Port of Barce- lona Gin, Spain ($30) Italian cooking herbs permeate this warm and silky three-times-distilled spirit; it finishes with a creamy an- ise reminiscent of absinthe, but its foundation of malted barley offers fine base notes. ESMERALDA DISTILLERY 93 Serralles Don Q Grand Añejo Rum, Puerto Rico ($60) Warm cinnamon and man- darin notes take you from dry to sweet, while clove, cherry, cof- fee, vanilla and roasted hazel- nuts coat the palate; so rich and vigorous: two ice cubes and you're sailing. DESTILERIA SERRALLES 94 Dry Fly Washington Wheat Whiskey, USA ($44) A new category of American whiskey; warm and embracing, its soft elegance is rich and perfumed with orange blos- som, roses and white flowers culminating in vanilla'd finesse. DRY FLY DISTILLING 90 La Valote Absinthe, Switzerland ($62) Herbal and hot until you add water, when it evolves into an elegant sip; lemon oil and rosemary coat the tongue. UNIQUE IMPORTS Picks Publisher's