Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/26650
BLUE REVIEWS 91 Shaw & Smith 2009 Shiraz, Adelaide Hills, Australia ($45) Lush texture and lovely pepper spice with blackberry and tangy cherry; balanced, complete and complex with lots of charm and length. VINTUS d’Asti Nivole, Italy ($21) Bright and fresh with 90 and silky with tiny bubbles and lovely mouthfeel; crisp and juicy, seductive and showing great fi nesse; long, delicious and classic: the best NV brut I tasted this year. MAISONS, MARQUES & DOMAINES 94 Bodega Septima 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mendoza, Argentina ($12) Smooth and fresh with bright plum and blueberry fruit; tangy and dense with balance and a rich, long fi nish. 88 AVENÍU BRANDS Argentina ($32) Creamy texture with pure, racy acidity, bright fruit and long, elegant fl avors; juicy, balanced and stylish. VINE CONNECTION 92 VALUE AND BY-THE-GLASS RECOMMENDATIONS River Valley ($15) Stylish and creamy with vanilla oak and bright tropical fruit and citrus; juicy; long, minerally fi nish. 88 ($12) Fresh and simple Sauvignon Blanc with lively acidity, bright fruit and good balance; clean and minerally. 88 54 / the tasting panel / march 201 1 Dourthe 2009 La Grande Cuvée, Bordeaux, France Ministry of the Vinterior 2009 Chardonnay, Russian Luca 2008 Chardonnay, Uco Valley, Mendoza, lots of edgy spritz and tangy fruit; lively and totally charming; bold and juicy. KOBRAND CORP. Deutz NV Brut Champagne Classic, France ($41) Fresh Michele Chiarlo 2009 Moscato Natura Chardonnay, Un-Oaked, Casablanca Valley, Chile ($11) Crisp grapefruit and juicy acidity; bright and clean with nervy fl avors and fresh, no-oak style; long and balanced; certifi ed organic. BANFI VINTNERS 88 Blanc Reserva, 89 2009 Virgin Chardonnay, Central Coast ($13) Smooth and creamy with bright, racy acidity and nice mineral notes; fresh and balanced, lively and clean. VINTAGE POINT 88 Spain ($10) Bright and crisp, juicy and lively; ripe red-fruit fl avors with great balance and a long fi nish. CASA VENTURA IMPORTS 89 de Bergerac, France ($12) Dense and dark with ripe plum and rich texture; smooth and balanced with good acidity and a long fi nish; Merlot, Cabernet and Malbec. 88 MVP WINES Rioja Crianza, Spain ($15) Clean, fresh and juicy with lively acidity and bright berry fruit; supple and long with lots of charm and style. 88 VINEYARD BRANDS Marqués de Cáceres 2007 Château Les Jandis 2006 Côtes Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland ($55) Bright and toasty with sweet oak, vanilla, spice and caramel; creme brulée and treacle with banana, smoke and dried fruit; less powerful than the 1994 but more complex; lush and long. 95 SKYY SPIRITS Viña Aljibes 2009 Syrah Rosado, Tierra de Castilla, Layer Cake Casablanca Valley, Chile ($12) Nervy and juicy with grapefruit and racy acidity; fresh, zesty and herbal with purity and style; long and bright. HUNEEUS VINTNERS Veramonte 2010 Sauvignon Organic Vodka, USA ($50) Smooth and creamy with lovely vanilla and long, clean, ripe fl avors; lush but not cloying, fresh and stylish with spice and silky texture; lovely balance and a soft, seductive fi nish. SPIRITS 93 LIXIR 88 Microdistilled VLIXIR BEVERAGE CO. Italy ($23) Made from Sicilian lemons and grappa; bright and sweet lemon nose; velvety texture, full-on and lush lemon candy and pure citron fl avors; natural, rich and long with lemon peel and spice; a very impressive achievement—clearly this producer deserves serious attention. PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL 95 The Glenrothes 1998 Vintage Bottega Limoncino Liqueur, Viñedos Organicos Emiliana 2010 and meaty with fresh, bright blackberry fruit and a long fi nish; ripe, juicy and spiced. 88 Valley ($15) Smooth and juicy with ripe plum and spice; dense and balanced with lovely lush texture and depth. PRECEPT BRANDS 88 SMITH & HOOK Waterbrook Winery 2007 Mélange Red, Columbia Hahn Estates 2009 GSM, Central Coast ($12) Dense