The Tasting Panel magazine

November 2013

Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/205467

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 64 of 152

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: LEIGH CASTELLI Doña Paula Estate 2011 Malbec, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina ($16) Blue flowers light up this brilliant, white-peppered red. Mouthwatering raspberry and high acid spell "tart" and "fruit"—grown in high altitude vineyards. Mocha and cherry spread luxuriously across the mouth. A great barbeque (ribs) wine. 90 Lucas and Lewellen 2010 Syrah, Santa Barbara County ($26) Dotted with sassy black pepper, the milk chocolate effects are as mouth-watering as the luscious blackberries that taste like they were just plucked from the patch. This dark black Syrah (with 3% Viognier) is outlined with crimson and is a hearty, satisfying sipper with fine acidity. 91 TRINCHERO FAMILY ESTATES Meridith May at The Saloon at The Ranch in Anaheim. Magnolia Court 2012 Merlot, Paso Robles ($13) Old World acidity and lively, fresh Central Coast sunshine-y fruit accent what tastes like farm-fresh plums and cherry pie filling. A nose of tilled soil appears mid-palate and re-appears on the finish. Aged 16 months in American oak. Charming and food friendly. 90 TURN KEY WINE BRANDS Worthy of a smooch. French-style double bizou. Wildly infatuated. Seriously smitten. Head over heels in love. Freakshow 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi ($20) Like the strong man at the circus whom some call a brute, those who take the effort experience him to be powerful and elegant at the same time. Think of the confident high-wire climber when you think of the balance and poise in position (high acidity) and a long finish ahead. Soy, caramel, pepper and roasted spices fill in the spaces, a crowd of ripe plum and black currant cheering on the show. 92 Truchard 2011 Pinot Noir, Carneros ($35) From seven separate clonal selections grown on the Truchard Estate, this Pinot Noir is spicy to the max—with almost a jalapeño zing on the tongue but soon subdued with rich black-cherry sweetness. Black olives arise to another savory start, again softened by mocha and rhubarb. And the lift of tea and earthy soil soon softens on the finish of vanilla and plum. 94 Justin 2010 Isosceles, Paso Robles ($62) Fragrant purple flowers hold up a reservoir of grape and blueberry. This is juicy to its very core: ripe, sweet and toasted cinnamon sprinkled with a flash of cranberry. Earthy, gripping tannins are held in check, nestled in a soft cloth. Sturdy but palate-stroking. 95 MICHAEL DAVID WINERY 64  /  the tasting panel  /  november 2013 TP1113_034-65.indd 64 10/24/13 9:19 AM

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Tasting Panel magazine - November 2013