The Tasting Panel magazine

April 2011

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Publisher’s PICKS Wines Meridith May is flanked by Arizona top F&B guys Todd DeSilva of the Montelucia Resort and Todd Grobstein, Director of Bar Operations, W Scottsdale. In each issue THE TASTING PANEL’s Publisher and Executive Editor, Meridith May, selects her favorite wines and spirits of the month. Check here for the latest arrivals in our offi ces, the hottest new brands on the market and an occasional revisited classic. Voss Vineyards 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Rutherford–Napa Valley ($18) Sure, the just-squeezed grapefruit nose delivers the SB mes- sage, but then bright pineapple goes head-to- head with a spice rack and a neat set of minerals. Certainly a multi-faceted persona! 91 NEGOCIANTS USA Emma Pearl 2009 Chardonnay, Central Coast ($18) Perhaps it’s the 10% Viognier that changes the game so much for this crystal-crisp white. It has creamy body , yes. Richly textured, yes. But underly- ing honey and summer pear along with baking spices keep the linger long. 89 TREASURY WINE ESTATES Mt. Beautiful 2009 Riesling, Cheviot Hills, New Zealand ($19) More fl oral than honeyed or fruited, this is a springtime sip—citrus blossoms and a hint of roses tell you that. 89 Worthy of a smooch. French-style double bizou. Wildly infatuated. Seriously smitten. Head over heels in love. 52 / the tasting panel / april 201 1 Tabalí 2009 Pinot Noir Reserva, Limarí Valley, Chile ($16) I expected the generous cherry and raspberry—okay, so I took this Chilean Pinot for granted. But the exotic spice and lush texture had a spool of mineral threading through. Intrigued, I drank on. 90 SOUTHERN WINE GROUP Curtis Winery 2007 Grenache, Santa Barbara County— Santa Ynez Valley ($25) A gobby suit of strawberry and cherry wears a spicy undergar- ment . Buttoned up with a creamy texture that speaks of its 18 months of French oak aging. 92 CLASSIC WINES OF CALIFORNIA Quinta de Aveleda 2005 Follies Cabernet Sauvignon–Touriga Nacional, Bairrada, Portugal ($15) Although in its youth, and showcasing a vibrancy thanks to its acid structure, there are glimpses of earth, stone and ready-to- ripen blackberry. Lots of potential. 89 HGC IMPORTS Black Stallion Estate Winery 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($23) A winding road of blackberry and chocolate lead to a jam fest of plums and red fruit. A silky, easy drinker. 88 DFV WINES Rock Wren 2007 Syrah, Solano County– Green Valley ($24) Rich components of brown sugar and coffee bean are patterned with black fruit, grilled meat and a saltiness that leads to an anise-tobacco fi nish. 91 PHOTO: DAVID HUFF

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