Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/348953
{ SOMMjournal.com } 101 Caroline Styne's tasting notes: A dark and meaty wine showing complex olive notes among the softer berry fruit and grip. Pairing note: Serve this with lamp chops. Christoff Elce's tasting notes: A mild bodied, bright wine with a sweet, savory nose and a touch of crème brûlée on the middle palate. The wine offers a flirtation of acidity that cuts through fat/umami and smells like an awesome fast-food deep fryer (if Ronald MacDonald did haute cuisine while garnering a Michelin star). Pairing note: Grilled veggies, Korean BBQ, creamy cheese like Havarti. Nadia Pavleska's tasting notes: A harmonious wine with the right balance of fruit and earthy tones and oak extraction. Wonderful flavors of blackberries, blueberries, fresh herbs are balanced by fresh wild mushrooms and forest floor notes. Pairing note: The potato croquettes served at the tasting were an ideal pairing, letting the wine shine as the right amount of savory elements complemented both. Dan Bailey's tasting notes: Intense aromas of fresh picked mushrooms and basil, very earthy and organic aromas, dry but not overtly dry on the palate. Pairing note: The richer the food the better. This reminds me of some high-quality merlots I've tasted and it calls for grilled bone-in lamp chops. somms and buyers Wine #9: Bodegas y Viñedos Tamaral 2009 Finca la Mira Wine #10: Viñas del Jaro 2007 Jaros Reserva Especial Diane Pandolfini is a Sommelier at our host restaurant, The Bazaar by José Andrés. "Obviously because our food has a Spanish emphasis, offering our guests Spanish wine is a way to give a real sense of place. It helps the guest get the real essence of Spain. I get that same feeling when I taste wines from Ribera del Duero–it brings a little slice of Spain!" Jay O'Leary, Certified Sommelier, Jay's Wine Shop; Karen Moneymaker, Senior Editor at The SOMM Journal; Chris Elce, Head Chef at Public Wine Beer Shop. Mike Mora, Retail Buyer/Broker at Twenty Twenty Wine Merchants. Wine #11: Viña Arnáiz 2009 Pata Negra Reserva Wine #12: Cruz de Alba Crianza 2008