Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/326040
62 / the tasting panel / june 2014 BLUE REVIEWS 90 Bodega Garzón 2013 Garzón Sauvignon Blanc, Uruguay ($17) Crisp, bright and precise with fresh grapefruit and citron; racy, minerally and lively; long and vibrant. BLENDS INC. 88 Dry Creek Vineyard 2013 Fumé Blanc, Sonoma County ($14) Silky and bright with citrus, citron and minerals; balanced, fresh and racy with juicy, long and bracing flavors; charming. 88 Jean-Luc Colombo 2013 Rosé, Méditerranée, France ($13) Pale pink; silky and juicy with raspberry and fresh, tangy style; dry and balanced. 67% Syrah, 33% Mourvèdre. PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL 90 Waterbrook Winery 2012 Malbec, Columbia Valley ($13) Dark ruby color ; juicy black raspberry, cherry and cassis with silky texture and lovely acid structure; ripe, round and polished. PRECEPT WINE 88 Robert Oatley 2011 Wild Oats Shiraz, Central Ranges, Australia ($15) Bright and juicy with raspberry, pomegranate and spice; long and balanced, fresh and zesty. PACIFIC HIGHWAY WINE AND SPIRITS 88 Julia's Dazzle 2013 Pinot Grigio Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills ($16) Made by Gilles Nicault; smooth, spritzy and bright with dense raspberry fruit; dry, crisp and lush. LONGSHADOWS VINTNERS SPIRITS 89 Burnett's Red Berry Flavored Vodka, USA ($11) Fresh raspberry nose; juicy and sweet with some nice fruit flavor ; smooth with hints of vanilla. HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES 93 Aviv 613 Vodka, Israel ($30) Smooth, fresh and showing pepper spice and creamy texture; clean, bracing and long with lovely balance and good depth; dry and crisp, charming. TZVAT SPIRITS OF ISRAEL LLC 92 Lotus 100% Pure Grain Vodka with Guarana and Ginseng, Italy ($25) Smooth and creamy with vanilla and soft toasted grains; rich texture and ripe flavors; mellow and long with a clean finish. BH GROUP USA 88 Iceberg IceFusion Chocolate Mint Vodka, Canada ($15) Definitely chocolate and mint flavors; smooth and decent with some sweetness and nice flavors; mellow and long. ADMIRAL IMPORTS 93 Bluewater Halcyon Organic Gin, USA ($30) Juniper and citrus nose; smooth and fat with creamy texture and clean, rich aromatics; dry, intense and balanced with lively flavor and intensity; ripe with luscious flavor and good length. BLUEWATER ORGANIC DISTILLING 93 Tanduay Silver Rum, Philippines ($40) Crisp, clean and dry with silky texture and generous but quite elegant flavors; pure and focused from entry to finish; long, vivid and a true rum for connoisseurs— no flaws masked by excessive sugar ; nothing to hide here, a beautifully balanced and natural rum, delicious in mixed drinks and stunning on its own; an important addition to the serious bar. MIDWAY USA 90 The Fat Trout Blended Scotch Whisky, Scotland ($25) From Scotland by way of Norway; a light, fresh three-year-old spirit with smooth texture and good balance; smooth, soft and toasty with very civilized flavors; long and mellow. BH GROUP USA 93 Suntory Hakushu Heavily Peated Single Malt Whisky, Japan ($155) Medium amber color ; smoky, smooth nose; fleshy and smoky with spice, toast and notes of vanilla; lush and intense; peaty, rich and deep. Is it from Islay?—no, the Japanese Alps. Complex and impressive. CAMPARI AMERICA 92 Clément Rhum Vieux Agricole, Select Barrel, Martinique ($30) Deep amber color ; toasty oak nose with silky texture; smooth, spicy and dry; clean, fresh and balanced. CLÉMENT USA 89 Cruzan Peach Rum, Barbados ($15) Ripe peach aroma; smooth, sweet, soft and mellow with low alcohol and a creamy, long finish. BEAM INC. 91 Below Deck Spiced Rum, USA ($20) Rich amber color ; holiday spices on the nose; smooth and showing cinnamon, allspice and clove; gingerbread; long and tangy with some nice heat on the finish. EASTSIDE DISTILLING 88 Elation Nectar de Poire Pear & Cognac Liqueur, France ($40) Mild nose; amber color ; sweet and creamy with hints of pear and some nice cognac complexity; lush and mellow. A. HARDY USA BLUE REVIEWS Julia's Dazzle 2013 Pinot Grigio Rosé, Horse Heaven Hills ($16) Made by Gilles Nicault; smooth, spritzy and bright with dense raspberry fruit; dry, crisp LONGSHADOWS VINTNERS 93 clean and dry with silky texture and generous but quite elegant flavors; pure and focused from entry to finish; long, vivid and a true rum for connoisseurs— no flaws masked by excessive sugar ; nothing to hide here, a beautifully balanced and natural rum, delicious in mixed drinks and stunning on its own; an important addition to the serious bar. TP0614_034-71.indd 62 5/23/14 9:24 PM