Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/237615
90 Herdade do Esporão 2012 Verdelho, Alentejano, Portugal ($13) Clean and generous with juicy green lime fruit and some grassy and jasmine notes; distinctive, fresh and crisp; long and balanced. AIDIL WINES & LIQUORS 90 Maximin Grünhäuser 2012 Feinherb Riesling, Mosel, Germany ($22) Racy and pure with vivid citrus and minerals; medium dry and crisp with tangy flavors and good balance. LOOSEN BROS. USA 90 Tintara 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, McLaren Vale, Australia ($19) Smooth and lush with dark color and velvety texture; juicy and bright with crisp acidity and rich plum and black raspberry; long and balanced. ACCOLADE WINES 90 Les Trois Couronnes 2010 Châteauneufdu-Pape, France ($40) Bright and tangy with silky texture and well-integrated flavors of plum, raspberry and spice; balanced and pleasant with depth and subtle complexity; long and elegant. 60% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 20% Mourvèdre. OWS/OTHER WINE AND SPIRITS 92 Cave de Tain L'Hermitage 2010 Saint-Joseph Esprit de Granit, France ($44) Ripe and juicy with bright blackberry, boysenberry and spice; smooth, juicy and vibrant with great balance, generous flavors and classic structure; long, mouth-filling and harmonious; stunning. OWS/OTHER WINE AND SPIRITS 92 Nino Negri 2009 5 Stelle, Sfursat di Valtellina, Italy ($80) Fragrant and complex with racy acidity and bright, tangy fruit; earth, spice and deep, ripe flavors; long, rich and layered. FREDERICK WILDMAN & SONS Coro Mendocino TO HIGHLIGHT THE QUALITY AND diversity of the fruit grown in Mendocino County, the Coro Mendocino series of wines has been created. This year ten local producers have participated, creating their own signature blends with a Zinfandel base. The wines, uniformly priced at $40 each, are screened in a blind-tasting format by an expert panel before they can be granted the Coro Mendocino label. Each of the ten wines makes a positive individual statement and together they clearly demonstrate the character and depth that Mendocino can produce. 88 Brutocao Cellars 2010 Coro Mendocino, Mendocino County ($40) Spicy, earthy nose; silky and smooth with spice, plum and black raspberry fruit; meaty, dense and long. 66% Zinfandel, 20% Barbera, 14% Primitivo. 90 Claudia Springs Winery 2010 Coro Mendocino, Mendocino County ($40) Bright, tangy and juicy with generous flavors of plum, raspberry and spice; pure and balanced with crisp style; long and vibrant. 41% Zinfandel, 32% Primitivo, 10% Petite Sirah, 10% Grenache, 7% Carignane. 91 Fetzer 2010 Coro Mendocino, Mendocino County ($40) Smooth and dense with ripe plum, blackberry and spice; rounded and polished with hints of vanilla oak; juicy and fresh with excellent acid structure; long and focused. 67% Zinfandel, 23% Syrah, 10% Petite Sirah. 90 Golden Vineyards 2010 Coro Mendocino, Mendocino County ($40) Juicy and fresh with tangy plum and blackberry fruit; aromatic and racy with crisp acidity and spice; rich and dense with depth and style. Biodynamic. 50% Zinfandel, 27% Syrah, 23% Petite Sirah. 92 McFadden Farms 2010 Coro Mendocino, Mendocino County ($40) Bright and fresh with juicy plum and raspberry; smooth and lush with elegant style and ripe flavors; generous and showing fine acid structure; long and stylish, balanced and delicious. 57% Zinfandel, 31% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah. 89 McNab Ridge Winery 2010 Coro Mendocino, Mendocino County ($40) Dense and concentrated with ripe plum and meaty flavors; fat, deep and rich; long and intense. 63% Zinfandel, 32% Petite Sirah, 5% Pinotage. 90 Mendocino Vineyards 2010 Coro Mendocino, Mendocino County ($40) Smooth and lush with ripe plum and blackberry; juicy and rich, dense and mature; tangy and bright, long and stylish. 48% Zinfandel 39% Syrah, 13% Petite Sirah. 88 Parducci 2010 Coro Mendocino, Mendocino County ($40) Smooth and meaty with dense flavors of plum and berry fruit; lush and balanced with a long, concentrated finish. 55% Zinfandel, 30% Petite Sirah, 10% Syrah, 5% Grenache. 91 Philo Ridge Vineyards 2010 Coro Mendocino, Mendocino County ($40) Bright and juicy with fresh plum and cherry fruit; dense and rich with tangy acidity and lovely balance; vibrant, racy and long. 50% Zinfandel, 30% Syrah, 20% Petite Sirah. 90 Ray's Station 2010 Coro Mendocino, Mendocino County ($40) Silky and juicy with tangy plum, raspberry and spice; fresh, vibrant and balanced; sleek and bright with good length and style. 59% Zinfandel, 33% Syrah, 8% Petite Sirah. january 2014 / the tasting panel / 67 TP0114_66-108.indd 67 12/19/13 9:46 PM