Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/221505
SPEED TASTING REPORT And two estate wines in the mix . . . GLORIA FERRER ROYAL CUVÉE, CARNEROS ($35) A showcase for the winery's estate vineyard, Gloria Ferrer has been perfecting the Royal Cuvée since the first vintage was served to the king and queen of Spain in 1987. The blend that came together from the 2005 growing season benefited from a late harvest and long hang-time. That touch of extra ripeness makes the 2005 Royal Cuvée a particularly profound statement about the quality of fruit being grown on Gloria Ferrer's Carneros estate. Devon Schmitt, Bayou Area Manager, Freixenet USA. The Panel's Notes: "A solid New World sparkler with fresh green/yellow apple flesh, pear skin and a hint of bread dough and pancake mix. Clean and refreshing!" —Nathan Prater, The Red Room "Rich, ripe, developed brioche aromas and crisp acidity on the front palate. It builds to a nutty, creamy finish with long, elegant staying power." —Guy Stout, Glazer's ALEXANDER VALLEY VINEYARDS 2009 "CYRUS," ALEXANDER VALLEY, SONOMA ($60) N amed for Cyrus Alexander, the man who settled the Alexander Valley after he arrived on horseback in 1840, "Cyrus" is the flagship label for the winery, purchased in 1962 by the Wetzel family. In 1975, the family built a small winery and Hank Wetzel produced Alexander Valley Vineyard's first wine in that same year. Wetzel Family Estate grows 14 grape varieties on diverse sites stretching from the banks of the Russian River up onto the hillsides. Cyrus, released March 15 every year, is an estate wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant (57%) five-grape Bordeaux-style blend with 26% Cab Franc and percentages of Merlot, Petit Verdot and Malbec. Aged for 26 months in French and American oak, with a limited production of 3,000 cases. The Panel's Notes: "Ripe, lush cherry fruit with a chocolate mint and baking spices to liven up the dense vanilla-driven finish. Delicious example of how the Alexander Valley brings texture into play for a New World Bordeaux blend. A favorite of the tasting." —Devon Broglie "Big, inky blackberry-driven blend with chalky tannins playing against fresh tobacco leaves, currants and licorice. Plenty of strength and certainly defines the word 'lush.'" —Scott Ota Trey Johnson, Regional Sales Manager, Alexander Valley Vineyards. december 2013 / the tasting panel / 123 TP1213_104-148.indd 123 11/23/13 8:37 PM