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BLUE REVIEWS Anthony Dias BLUE REVIEWS I n each issue, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dias Blue selects a wide range of the best wines and spirits from among the more than 500 he samples over the course of a month. The reviews are subjective editorial evaluations, made without regard to advertising, and products are scored on a 100-point scale: 85-89: VERY GOOD 90-94: OUTSTANDING 95-100: CLASSIC Once products are selected for publication, producers and importers will be offered the option of having their review accompanied by an image (bottle photo or label art) for a nominal fee. There is no obligation to add an image, nor does the decision affect the review or score in any way. The “twisty” icon indicates wines sealed with a screwcap closure. For additional Blue Reviews, go to www.tastingpanelmag.com. Blend, Richard Dinner Vineyard, Sonoma Mountain ($34) Juicy and bright with tangy black raspberry and plum with lively structure and a long, balanced, fresh finish. Bonterra Vineyards 2009 Muscat, Bartolucci Vineyard, Lake County ($16) Juicy, crisp and tangy with peach sweetness and silky texture; fresh and totally charming; organic. 89 BROWN-FORMAN 91 Zocker 2009 Grüner Veltliner, Paragon Vineyard, Edna Valley ($20) Spritzy and bright with citrus and mineral notes plus a lush, balanced texture; wow, a California Grüner with great style and charm—and sustainably grown to boot. Bravo! NIVEN FAMILY WINE ESTATES DOMESTIC 91 Rocky Hill 2007 Red Rogue Valley ($22) Smooth and creamy with peach and tropical fruit; juicy and lush with a long, balanced finish. 89 Dobbes 2009 Viognier, Sundown Vineyard, Napa Valley ($45) It takes real nerve to hold a Chard back for ten years, but Bob Travers is no ordinary vintner; this lovely wine is crisp and fresh but it has developed great depth and nuance with notes of mineral, spice and citrus; balanced and homogeneous; remarkable. 92 Oregon ($50) Silky, bright and juicy with cherry fruit and tangy acidity; Burgundian, pure and supple with lovely balance and nervy style; long and racy. 92 52 / the tasting panel / december 2010 Angela 2008 Pinot Noir, Clawson Creek Vineyard, Cabernet Sauvignon, Private Reserve, Napa Valley ($115) Dark, rich and dense with velvety texture and stunning ripe plum, blackberry, hints of chocolate and creamy vanilla oak; long and unctuous with a core acid structure that carries it all unobtrusively; elegant, seamless and masterful: one of the best Beringer PRs in a while. TREASURY WINE ESTATES 94 Beringer Vineyards 2007 Mayacamas Vineyards 2000 Chardonnay,