Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/188061
BLUE rEVIEWS 88 88 J. Lohr 2012 Estates Bay Mist Riesling, Monterey County ($10) Smooth and juicy with sweetness and tangy acidity; mellow and balanced, fresh and delicate with lovely aromatics. 91 Waterbrook Winery 2010 Late Harvest Semillon Ice Wine, Columbia Valley ($15/375 ml.) Creamy and rich, concentrated and very sweet but nicely balanced with juicy acidity; pineapple, peach and vanilla; clean, lush and balanced. PRECEPT WINE 88 Relax 2012 Riesling, Mosel, Germany ($12) Smooth, sweet and balanced; clean and juicy, simple and balanced. SCHMITT SÖHNE 89 Thomas Schmitt 2012 Riesling Spätlese, Private Collection, Mosel, Germany ($16) Spritzy and crisp with juicy acidity and bright lime and peach; fresh, lively and pure with balance and focus. SCHMITT SÖHNE 88 Wakefield Wines 2013 Riesling, Clare Valley, Australia ($17) Juicy and bursting with citrus and crisp acidity; long and fresh with lovely balance; dry and long. AMERICAN WINE DISTRIBUTORS 88 Ménage à Trois 2012 Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($10) Ripe blackberry nose; smooth and youthful with pure berry and cassis fruit; dense, intense but showing good structure and balance; long and vibrant. 93 Wolfgang Puck 2010 Master Lot Reserve, California ($15) Spicy, dense and showing blackberry and bramble; smooth and earthy. Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah. Sagatiba Pura Cachaça, Brazil ($25) Smooth, spicy and somewhat vegetal nose; silky and elegant with aromatic herbal and soft sugar notes; slightly earthy yet very clean and balanced; soft spices and lovely balance; long and intriguing. DFV WINES 88 Château Lagrézette 2011 Purple Malbec, Cahors, France ($14) Dense and rich with blackberry and cassis fruit; mineral, spice and ripe, jammy flavors and excellent structure; long and lush. THE OTHER WINE & SPIRITS 89 Cannonball Winery 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($15) Ripe, forward and generous with plum, black cherry and spice; rich with velvety texture and notes of chocolate and toasty oak; vibrant and long. 2 0 1 0 C A L I F O R N I A CAMPARI AMERICA 92 901 Añejo Tequila, Mexico ($50) Medium amber color; rich and spicy with toasty agave notes on the nose; silky and smooth with sweet caramel and toasted oak and smooth agave; mellow and long, balanced. PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL 95 Johnnie Walker Platinum Label Scotch Whisky, Scotland ($110) Johnnie's newest iteration, aged 18 years, has a soft nose of smoke, oak and botanicals; dry, rich and precise with smoke, bread and toasted oak; a multiplicity of flavors blended seamlessly and masterfully; rich and masculine yet graceful and elegant; long and lovely. CANNONBALL WINE COMPANY SPIRITS 94 Sipsmith London Dry Gin, U.K. ($40) Smooth juniper, floral and spice nose; dry and elegant with lovely aromatics and a delightful kiss of citrus on the finish; made in London's first copper still in 200 years; lush and lovely with silky texture. WILSON DANIELS 94 Diplomatico Reserva Exclusiva Rum, Venezuela ($44) Deep amber color; toasted, complex nose; silky and rich with Christmas pudding spices, clove, ginger and treakle; gingerbread and burnt orange peel; lush and creamy. BLEND WINE & SPIRITS IMPORTS DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA 93 Baileys Vanilla Cinnamon, Ireland ($21) Smooth and creamy but not thick, graceful and showing vanilla cream with lovely notes of cinnamon; rich but not cloying; fresh, balanced and showing a nice hit of Irish whiskey on the finish. DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA 91 Sorel Artisanal Liqueur, USA ($30) Ruby color; spicy nose of cinnamon and pepper; silky and not too sweet with spiced apple, black cherry and cinnamon; silky, balanced and charming; made in Brooklyn. JACK FROM BROOKLYN TRINCHERO FAMILY ESTATES 80 / the tasting panel / october 2013 TP1013_066-107.indd 80 9/23/13 10:34 PM