Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/221505
SPEED TASTING REPORT REVEAL NUMBER SIX MARGERUM 2012 M5, SANTA BARBARA COUNTY ($27) D oug Margerum, a former Santa Barbara restaurateur, began his own wine company in the Santa Ynez Valley in 2001. His mentors include such legends as Jim Clendenen and Bob Lindquist, and his love for Rhône wines—especially Châteauneuf-du-Pape—shows in his lovingly handcrafted releases. Margerum invests in production and for this nine months barrel-aged, small-production blend of Grenache (43%), Syrah (41%), Mourvèdre, Counoise and Cinsault that he sources from 11 different high-quality Santa Barbara County vineyards. Brooks Van Wingerden, Sales & Marketing Manager, Margerum Wine Co. The Panel's Notes: "Violets and fresh fruit; the nose draws you in like an expensive perfume of floral, herbs and spice. A classic Rhône style." —Scott Ota "Baked clay and red earth are accompanied by blackberries and violets. Hits the mark in style and the under $30 price." —Fabien Jacob REVEAL NUMBER SEVEN CHAKRAS 2011 MALBEC RESERVA, LUJÁN DE CUYO, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA ($14) T his 100% hand-harvested Malbec is grown on Mendoza's sandy and rocky alluvial soils in a semi-desert climate with a wide diurnal range of temperature from day to night. Chakras refer to the energy centers in our bodies, according to Hindu and other New Age spiritual beliefs, but in Spanish, "chacras" also translates as a vineyard in the Andes. If the energy forces of the vineyards sourced by Mendoza pioneers Bodegas Cruz de Piedra are represented in this wine, it would show as soulful and bright, with its bright crimson hue. PACIFIC HIGHWAY WINE & SPIRITS The Panel's Notes: "Black fruit with satin-lined texture and dry, dusty tannins. Meaty, but refined and structured with the appropriate balance of jammy fruit and oak." — Devon Broglie "Deep, deeper nose. Black fruit and mint. Flashy and spicy—a really good Malbec." —Mark Sayre december 2013 / the tasting panel / 121 TP1213_104-148.indd 121 11/23/13 8:37 PM