Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/19027
BLUE REVIEWS Riesling, Columbia Valley ($8/liter) Fresh and crisp with lovely citrus and peach plus tangy acidity; bright and juicy with depth and a long, snappy finish. 88 TFE WINES 88 ($11) Silky and bright with tangy fruit and lively acidity; smooth, lush and pleasant with nice texture and attractive flavors with a hint of oak complexity. 88 88 BROWN-FORMAN Yellow Tail 2008 Reserve Chardonnay, South Eastern Australia ($12) Clean, smooth and peachy with good, racy acidity; juicy, bright and balanced with a long finish. W. J. DEUTSCH & SONS 89 River Valley ($13) Crisp and aromatic with nice fruit and smooth texture; fresh and balanced with good acid structure and a long finish; bright and stylish. 88 50 / the tasting panel / november 2010 Snoqualmie Vineyards 2009 Naked Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($12) Bight, crisp flavors of apple, peach and pear; lively, clean and zesty; balanced finish. Organic. STE. MICHELLE WINE ESTATES Buehler Vineyards 2009 Chardonnay, Russian Bulletin Place 2009 Chardonnay, South Eastern Australia ($10) Smooth and mellow with ripe fruit and good acidity; balanced and fresh with a nice long finish. VINEYARD BRANDS Little Black Dress 2009 Chardonnay, California Three Thieves 2009 Bandit Shiraz, Paringa, Riverland, Australia ($10) Velvety and dense with ripe blackberry and lively acidity; rich, balanced and lovely. 89 ($10) Smooth and dark with bright and juicy black raspberry and cassis; fresh and youthful with balance, lift and a long finish; charming. 89 FREIXENET USA 88 90 Boekenhoutskloof 2009 The Wolf Pack, Western Cape, South Africa ($11) Smooth and fleshy with hints of smoke; rich plum and blackberry fruit; 65% Syrah, 32% Mourvèdre, 3% Viognier. VINEYARD BRANDS Steele Wines 2008 Shooting Star Zinfandel, Lake County ($14) Silky and smooth with lovely ripe berry fruit and vanilla oak; balanced, fresh and juicy with great acidity and a long finish. SPIRITS 95 Malt Whisky, Scotland ($694) Deep amber; silky texture; lovely biscuit aroma; toasty oak and smooth, creamy notes of spice, sandalwood and toasted almond; dry and very elegant with teak and dried fruits; mellow and rich, complex and balanced, subtle and refined; a classic. 95 PURPLE VALLEY IMPORTS Rökk Vodka, Sweden ($15) Soft vanilla nose; smooth and subtle with lovely vanilla flavors and lush texture and a long, elegant finish; silky but with a note of heat on the finish; stunning. DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA 92 Excellia Reposado Tequila, Mexico ($55) Silky and peppery with elegance, style and a nice, dry finish. DOMAINE SELECT Blended Canadian Whisky, Canada ($15) A new expression of Canadian Mist with a higher rye content. Medium amber color; spicy, wood nose; smooth and mild with clean, simple flavors of toasty wood, sweet caramel and mellow dried fruit; clean, balanced and showing nice length and mild spice. BROWN-FORMAN 89 90 Southern Comfort Lime, USA ($24) Creamy and sweet with ripe lime fruit and smooth, lively flavors of honey and spice; fresh, balanced and juicy with lots of charm and good, long flavors. BROWN-FORMAN Canadian Mist Black Diamond Glenglassaugh 30 Year Old Highland Single QUINTESSENTIAL Tapeña 2008 Garnacha, Tierra de Castilla, Spain The ARH Australian Wine Company 2008 93 Smooth Ambler Exceptional White Whiskey, USA ($30) Completely clear (unaged), with a lively sweet corn nose; smooth and creamy with corn, grain, grass and spice; subtle and yet rich with lovely agrarian flavors. The possibilities are endless: a Martini, in any cocktail instead of vodka or gin—yipes! SMOOTH AMBLER SPIRITS