Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/4337
Blue Reviews 90 St. Clement Vineyards 2006 Merlot, Napa Valley ($28) Smooth and juicy with bright plum, blueberry and spice; bright structure and an underlying core of oak and vanilla; classic. FOSTER'S GROUP 92 DeLoach 2007 Pinot Noir, Maboroshi Vineyard, Russian River Valley ($45) Rich and dense with ripe cherry and tangy acidity; forward, complex and burst- ing with flavors of earth and spice; long and lush with lovely flavors and great depth. BOISSET AMERICA imports 89 Pascal Jolivet 2007 Sau- vignon Blanc, Attitude, Loire Valley, France ($17) Fresh citrus, minerals and bright herbs; clean, pure and racy with lovely length and balance. FREDERICK WILDMAN AND SONS 90 Jacob's Creek 2005 Reeves Point Chardonnay, South Australia ($30) Toasty and nutty with butter, lush pear and fig flavors; long, juicy and beautifully balanced. PERNOD RICARD USA 90 San Francesco 2008 Greco, Fata Morgana, Calabria, Italy ($18) Smooth and dense with tangy acidity and lovely complex flavors of vanilla, spice and pear fruit; rich, long and balanced with depth and lovely style. WINEMONGER 90 Cruz Andina 2006 Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina ($20) Flowing with blackberry and plum fruit; smooth, mellow and tangy, with great balance and good length. HUNEEUS VINTNERS 90 Antinori 2008 Guado al Tasso Vermentino, Bolgheri, Italy ($25) Smooth clean and complex with mellow texture and tangy spicy flavors; long, ripe and juicy. STE. MICHELLE WINE ESTATES 91 Schloss Saarstein 2008 Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany ($25) Spritzy with racy lime and green peach; juicy, pure and bracing with a long focused finish. VALCKENBERG INTL . 89 Stark-Condé 2006 Syrah, Stellen- bosch, South Africa ($27) Silky smooth and bright with spice, violets, black raspberry and hints of oak and chocolate; supple, nicely structured and bal- anced. VINEYARD BRANDS 95 Allegrini 2005 Amarone della Valpolicella, Italy ($85) Dark and dense with rich, toasted plum and mature berries; balanced, luscious, concentrated and long with depth, spice and finesse. WINEBOW 95 Torbreck 2006 Shiraz, Descendant, Barossa Valley, Australia ($105) Fresh and aromatic with exquisite plum, blackberry and tobacco; pure and intense with energy, complexity and great depth; long, dense and neatly packed; powerful yet quite elegant. WINE CREEK IMPORTS value and by-the-glass recommendations 88 Oak Grove 2008 Char- donnay Reserve, California ($8) Clean, smooth and juicy with ripe fruit, bright acid- ity and good balance; a stylish and surprising wine for the price. 89 MAN Vintners 2009 Coastal Chenin Blanc, South Africa ($11) Dry and very juicy with bright acidity and tangy fruit; long, fresh and balanced with lots of nerve. VINEYARD BRANDS 89 Bianchi Winery 2008 Syrah, San Rafael, Mendoza, Argentina ($9) Smooth and dense with spicy black- berry and cassis fruit; silky and lush with juicy acidity and a long, bright finish. QUINTESSENTIAL 89 S. A. Prüm 2008 Riesling, Es- sence, Mosel, Germany ($13) Crisp and tangy with a little spritz; crisp and racy lime and peach with pure, searing acidity. PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL 88 Santadi 2006 Antigua, Monica di Sardegna, It- aly ($15) Earthy, smooth with rustic plum and raspberry fruit; minerally, balanced and long. EMPSON USA spirits 90 Greenore 8 Year Old Sin- gle Grain Irish Whiskey ($50) Pale amber color; warm grain nose; light and smooth with mellow toasted grain flavors; clean, elegant, pure and simple with length and balance. SAZERAC CO. 91 Ty Ku Premium Liqueur, China ($30) Mint green, juicy cit- rus fruit, tangy and with a hint of mint; racy, fresh and smooth with a linger- ing finish. TY KU INTERNATIONAL 54 / the tasting panel / november 2009