Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/221505
SPEED TASTING REPORT REVEAL NUMBER EIGHT YALUMBA 2008 "THE SIGNATURE" CABERNET SAUVIGNON–SHIRAZ, BAROSSA, AUSTRALIA ($54) A ustralia's oldest family-owned winery, Yalumba dates back five generations in the heart of the Barossa Valley. It was founded by British migrant and brewer Samuel Smith in 1849, known for planting his vines by moonlight. He named his land "Yalumba," Aboriginal for "all the land around." In the 1970s, the winery established its own vine nursery and has become the country's largest viticultural nursery, supplying safe-quality rootstock to wineries throughout Australia. A nod to the best of each vintage is Yalumba's Signature series, and Yalumba is looked to as the benchmark for Australia's iconic blends of Cab and Shiraz. All parcels of fruit were fermented separately and indigenous or "wild" yeasts, naturally present on the grape skins, were allowed to initiate the fermentation for this small 3,000-case-production wine. "We have established grower relationships Cara Bertone, South Central Territory with Barossa's best producers over the past Manager, Negociants USA. 150 years," says Cara Bertone of Negociants USA. That's quite a track record. NEGOCIANTS USA The Panel's Notes: "Penetrating flavors, big jammy blueberry notes and plenty of structure. Worcestershire and teeth-gripping tannins, high acidity and vanilla oak integrate well for a serious Shiraz-Cab blend." —John Roenigk Black pepper and blueberries with fruit cobbler aromas. This is a big-boned sensuous creature . . . reminds me of Joan from Mad Men, with an Aussie accent." —Nathan T. Prater REVEAL NUMBER NINE VML PINOT NOIR 2011 IVYWOOD VINEYARD, RUSSIAN RIVER VALLEY ($45) S ituated above the village of Freestone, along the foggy ridgeline, coastal winds make an impact on the Ivywood Vineyards in the Green Valley sub-appellation of the Russian River Valley. Winemaker Virginia Marie Lambrix (whose initials form the name of the winery) studied plant science and biodynamic farming before she began her own label. The small vineyard is no larger than ten acres and the fruit for this limited release single-vineyard Pinot Noir shows exotic spice and an aromatic rose petal dreaminess. The Panel's Notes: "I'm a big fan of this amazing juice. The cherry, floral, coffee and savory spices Jim Kopp, Marketing Director of show beautifully." —Fabrien Jacob "This concentrated New World Pinot Noir is everyTruett Hurst/VML Winery. thing it should and can be . . . and more. Voluptuous and equally elegant—this is one foxy red. Just about my favorite of the tasting." —June Rodil 122 / the tasting panel / december 2013 TP1213_104-148.indd 122 11/23/13 8:37 PM