The Tasting Panel magazine

September 2014

Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/376390

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 79 of 148

september 2014  /  the tasting panel  /  75 VALUE AND BY-THE-GLASS RECOMMENDATIONS 88 Sacha Lichine 2013 Blend No. 5, France ($12) A silky, smooth white with aromatic notes and ripe texture; quite captivating. 47% Vermentino, 39% Chardonnay, 7% Sauvignon, 7% Sémillon. SHAW-ROSS INTERNATIONAL IMPORTERS 88 Kendall-Jackson 2012 Vintner's Reserve Riesling, Monterey County ($13) Smooth and off-dry with peach, apricot and pear ; fresh and juicy with bright style and tangy acidity; bright and long. 88 Waitsburg Cellars 2013 Chevray, Old Vine Chenin Blanc, Columbia Valley ($17) Dense and complex with ripe fruit with minerals and floral notes; creamy and showing firm acid structure; long and rich finish. 88 Robert Mondavi Private Selection 2012 Meritage, Central Coast ($11) Smooth and ripe with nice plum, blackberry and spice; balanced, deep and a great value. 56% Merlot, 24% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Malbec, 4% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. CONSTELLATION WINES U.S. 88 Lapostolle 2012 Casa Grand Selection Merlot, Rapel Valley, Chile ($12) Smooth and showing bright plum and nice balance; long and fresh. TERLATO WINES 89 La Quercia 2012 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Italy ($16) Lush with ripe blackberry and cassis; rich and dense with smooth, ripe flavors; deep and juicy with balance and a long finish. SMALL VINEYARDS 88 Bonny Doon Vineyard 2012 A Proper Claret, California ($16) Smooth and ripe with plum, blackberry and spice; nicely structured and neatly balanced; Randall Grahm's rapprochement with the dreaded Cabernet; nicely done. 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Petit Verdot, 8% Tannat, 7% Syrah, 1% Petite Sirah. SPIRITS 92 Ménage à Trois Vodka, USA ($25) Fresh and silky with vanilla notes and clean, dry, vibrant flavors; balanced, long and bracing with a charming kick of heat on the finish. TFE WINES 94 Loft & Bear Artisinal Vodka, USA ($40) Mellow vanilla nose and soft, creamy texture; beautifully clean and showing vanilla and wheat flavors; dry and lovely with excellent length and balance; charming heat on the finish; a real winner. YOUNG STATE AMERICA 93 Master's Selection London Dry Gin, Spain ($33) Soft juniper nose; smooth, creamy and lush with lovely vanilla, spice and floral notes; mellow, rich and beautifully balanced; classic. VISION WINE & SPIRITS, LLC 97 Monkey 47 Schwarzwald Dry Gin, Germany ($45/375ml.) Intriguingly complex nose showing citrus and spice; aromatic and elegant with silky texture and rich, complex flavors of spices and botanicals, berries, mint and orange peel; gentle and layered with great depth and intensity; long and vivid; an amazing achievement. SIDNEY FRANK IMPORTING CO. 91 Karma Añejo Tequila, Mexico ($60) Soft and lush nose; smooth and mellow with vanilla and nice agave spice; elegant and poised with a long, rounded finish. WC SPIRITS, LLC 93 Collier and McKeel Tennessee Whiskey, USA ($46) Deep amber color ; smoky, toasty nose; silky texture with sweet oak and spice with notes of smoke and sugar maple charcoal; complex and balanced with nice heat and long, deep finish. 92 Tap Rye Port Finished Canadian Whisky, Canada ($40) Soft grain nose; silky, smooth with spice and hints of sweet port and nutmeg; sleek with notes of vanilla and caramel; charming, creamy and long with mellow style and a spicy finish. VAN GOGH IMPORTS 94 79 Gold Caramel Spirit, USA ($30) A unique spirit named for the atomic number of gold; creamy and smooth with rich vanilla, caramel and burnt sugar flavors; sweet but not cloying; silky and showing some nice, appropriate heat on the finish (it's 79 proof, of course); elegant, pure and lovely; try it over ice cream. JOMADA IMPORTS 94 Germain-Robin Anno Domini 2009, USA ($400) An elegant and smooth domestic brandy made from Pinot Noir, with delicate spice and lovely floral notes; balanced, toasty and lush with a long, sensual finish. CRAFT DISTILLERS

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Tasting Panel magazine - September 2014