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BLUE REVIEWS Anthony Dias BLUE REVIEWS 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: I 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. Maria Valley ($32) Bright and fresh with tangy apple and citrus fruit; lively, ripe and juicy with definite Burgundian overtones; balanced and long with lovely purity and style. 92 Alexander Valley ($35) Ripe plum and dense, juicy wild berry fruit; supple, balanced and neatly structured; long, complex and totally charming— another Jackson winner. JACKSON FAMILY WINES 92 52 / the tasting panel / march 201 1 Farrier 2007 Countenance, Dierberg Vineyards 2007 Estate Chardonnay, Santa Blanc, To Kalon, 1 Block, Napa Valley ($75) Pure and lush with silky texture and a firm core of acidity; lovely juicy lime and minerals with spices and floral notes; some tropical fruit and fine depth and balance; long, complex and complete; made from the oldest Sauvignon in North America, planted in 1945. CONSTELLATION WINES U.S. DOMESTIC 94 Robert Mondavi 2007 Fumé Lee Family Farm 2008 Rio Tinto, Silverspoons Vineyard, Alta Mesa, Lodi ($16) Bright and tangy with fresh black raspberry and lively acidity; juicy, long and nervy with racy flavors and nice balance. MORGAN WINERY 89 Winemaker’s Blend, California ($20) Bright and fresh with lifted flavors and lively raspberry fruit; ripe and nervy with lots of charm and a good long finish. GALLO 89 89 Arizona Stronghold 2008 Tazi, Cochise County ($22) An impressive white blend from Arizona (Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Riesling and Malvasia); crisp and clean with smooth texture and some lovely aromatic notes; tangy, fresh and charming. River Valley ($30) Proof that Merry Edwards marches to her own inner drummer; ripe and lush with leesy notes and creamy texture; rich and juicy with layers of flavor and a firm core of acidity; long, balanced and nuanced. 92 2007 Syrah, Santa Ynez Valley ($24) Smooth and lush with ripe blackberry, cassis 90 and mocha flavors; spicy and rich with balance and a lingering finish. Zaca Mesa Winery Merry Edwards 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Russian Ghost Pines 2008 Merlot,