The Tasting Panel magazine

September 2011

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Publisher's 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 offices, the hottest new brands on the market and an occasional revisited classic. WINES Eberle Winery 2009 Barbara, Steinbeck Vineyard, Paso Robles ($26) Gamey notes of venison and mineral rich, sun-drenched soil spark our imagination, while deep plums and decisively sweet spiced berries, soft tannins and firm acids calm any possible edges. 91 Heritance 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($28) Bernard Portet's new wine venture is like a great novel: long, juicy and drawn out with drama. Clove and spice are there: You just have to sip in-between the lines of a wave of black fruit. 93 POLARIS WINES DeBiase 2009 Pinot Noir, Fritchen Vineyard, Russian River Valley ($50) A cherry orchard's first pick—lean and fragrant with the floral tones of the fruit more than the juicy berry. Minerality Worthy of a smooch. French-style double bizou. Wildly infatuated. Seriously smitten. Head over heels in love. 62 / the tasting panel / september 201 1 leans into orange rind on mid-palate, with a peppered pomegranate finish. 90 Chronic Cellars 2010 Stone Fox, Paso Robles ($20) Nectar of the goddess: apricot, pear and peach divinity. Stone fruit for the Stone Fox is mineral-driven. And watch for curves on the way to the finish. 50% Viognier, 19% Marsanne, 16% Grenache Blanc, 15% Roussanne. 91 PICKS SPIRITS Bainbridge Legacy Organic Vodka, USA ($33) A designer vodka, six-times distilled with Washington wheat. Its cereal sweet nose is as naturally inviting as its vanilla cream body. A swatch of pink grape- fruit rind and black pepper add more texture. 92 Mandarine Napoléon, Belgium ($37.50) From its remarkable rusted-amber hue, to a nose that jumps right into the heart of the liquor with an orange peel/bittersweet dark choco- late echo, the brief whisper of violets and a glimmer of cashew nougat edges up against the exotic citrus rind. 92 ROYAL DUTCH DISTILLERS OR-G Liqueur, France ($25) From famed spirits designer Jean-Marc Daucourt. If this exquisite blend of French vodka and persimmon had legs, it would prance down the catwalk. Tropical fruits spruce up the palate, and the liquid is as playful as the name. Revel in it. 90 PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL

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