The Tasting Panel magazine

October 2013

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Publisher's PICKS 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 revisited classic. WINES PHOTO: JEREMY BALL LeSaffre 2012 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast ($50) Lively and clean in its Burgundian litheness; dots of lemon-washed stone are patterned in between white-petal toned Asian pear and gardenia flower. 92 Meridith May celebrates the 40th Anniversary of Bien Nacido Vineyards with Au Bon Climat Winemaker Jim Clendenen. See the story on page 110. Worthy of a smooch. French-style double bizou. Wildly infatuated. Seriously smitten. Head over heels in love. Carmen Gran Reserva 2011 Carmenère, Apalta Vineyard, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($16) Ruby red, juicy and fragrant, this red is light-hearted and yet sturdy. Spice and dark fruit are well matched for each other in this gem, from Chile's oldest and most historic winery. 90 Nasiakos 2012 Agiorgitiko Red, Greece ($14) In the Peloponesse, Leonidas Nasiakos, a second-generation winemaker and fourth-generation viticulturalist, owns this small winery. Pronounced, mouth-coating tannins shape this blue-flowered, richly scented 100% Agiorgitiko. Layers of blueberry jelly are layered with licorice, vanilla and salty mocha. Great value and a fun surprise! 89 Rock Wall Wine Co. 2010 Reserve Zinfandel, Monte Rosso Vineyard, Sonoma County ($40) A spiced spread of herb-laden blackberry compote kept dry with a brush stroke of tannins, keeping each sip fresh. Salted chocolate ignites a juicy, brambly boysenberry finish. 93 STELLAR IMPORTING CO. ROCK WALL WINE COMPANY Trefethen 2010 Dragon's Tooth Red Wine, Oak Knoll District of Napa Valley ($75) From the rockiest section of Trefethen's Oakville estate vineyard, this voluptuous blend of 58% Malbec, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Petit Verdot shows that the dragon has a sweet tooth. Chocolate and baking spices lead us to a heaven scent, but the high acidity sparks a fire at mid-palate, lashing out its vexation at any jamminess that gets in the path of this dark beast. 93 TRINCHERO FAMILY ESTATES Hoopes Vineyard 2010 Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($60) Winemaker Jason Fisher, who also crafts 2010 Liparita, an old ghost brand brought back to life by Spencer Hoopes, produces Hoopes. Both wines are made at Napa Wine Company in Oakville. Planted on St. George (non-phylloxera) root stock in 1989, 90% of the eight-acre Oakville AVA vineyard, against a hill north of Yountville, remains today. It is used for Hoopes Cabernet Sauvignon, made in limited CABERNET SAUVIGNON OAKVILLE NAPA VALLEY ALCOHOL 14.9% BY VOL. 82  /  the tasting panel  /  october 2013 TP1013_066-107.indd 82 9/23/13 10:34 PM

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