Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/455266
88 / the tasting panel / january/february 2015 BLUE REVIEWS 90 Azienda Agricola Urlari 2011 Merlot L'Urlo, Toscana, Italy ($56) Dense and earthy with plum and spice; smooth and lush with juicy acid structure and good length. URLARI WINES 93 Vilafonté 2011 Series C, Paarl, South Africa ($60) Lovely blackberry and cassis nose; smooth and balanced, elegant and nicely structured; long and refined, precise and long. 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Merlot, 14% Malbec, 9% Cabernet Franc. BROADBENT SELECTIONS 91 Boekenhoutskloof 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Franschhoek, South Africa ($70) Smooth, bright and juicy with tangy plum and racy acidity; fresh and lively with pure varietal fruit flavors; crisp and long. VINEYARD BRANDS 92 Maquis 2010 Franco Cabernet Franc, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($85) Lush and juicy with racy acidity and smooth texture; ripe plum and cassis; spice and good depth with lush style; clean and bright, long and balanced. GLOBAL VINEYARD 96 Château de Beaucastel 2012 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France ($120) Another stunner from the Perrin family. Deep, earthy nose; juicy and bright with racy blueberry, raspberry and cassis; lush, elegant and seamless with deep spice, licorice and violets; long, tangy and seductive; wonderful now, even better in ten years. VINEYARD BRANDS 88 Three Thieves 2013 Pinot Grigio, California ($8) Fresh, bright and juicy with simple, clean flavors and a long finish. TRINCHERO FAMILY ESTATES 88 Loca 2013 Verdejo, Viñedos de España, Spain ($12) Aromatic, clean and juicy with tangy acidity and ripe melon and lime; fresh and balanced, long and lively. AW DIRECT USA 88 Bonterra Vineyards 2013 Viognier, Mendocino County ($16) Juicy and fresh with bright, tangy peach and lively acidity; crisp and balanced. Organic. FETZER VINEYARDS/ CONCHA Y TORO 88 Casa Monte 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Lot 45, Central Coast, Chile ($10) Smooth and juicy with soft herbs and spice; bright plum fruit and fresh, tangy style; clean, balanced and long. RIONDO USA 88 Trivento 2013 Cabernet-Malbec Reserve, Mendoza, Argentina ($11) Smooth, clean and fresh with ripe blackberry and cherry fruit; tangy, bright and juicy with a long finish. EXCELSIOR WINES 89 Warwick Estate 2012 Old Bush Vines Pinotage, Stellenbosch ($11) Smooth and dense with tangy acidity and ripe cranberry and spice; lush and juicy, bright and long. BROADBENT SELECTIONS 89 House Wine 2013 Mountain Merlot, American ($11) Ripe and lush with juicy plum and berries; bright and fresh with a long, rich style; balanced and tangy. 93% Merlot, 4% Syrah, 3% Cab Franc. PRECEPT WINE 90 Waterbrook Winery 2012 Merlot, Walla Walla, Columbia Valley ($14) Juicy and bright with tangy plum and berry fruit; fresh and clean, racy and lifted with long, lively flavors. PRECEPT WINE SPIRITS 92 50 Bleu Ultra Premium Vodka, Poland ($30) Smooth and earthy nose; silky and earthy flavors with notes of vanilla and rye; spicy, dry and mellow with lush style; rich and long, creamy and deep. BLACKHEATH BEVERAGE GROUP 92 Barr Hill Vodka, USA ($37/350ml, $59–$62/750ml) Distilled from raw honey. Smooth honey nose; dry, creamy and lush with smooth notes of vanilla and light spice; floral, mellow and long with lovely honey notes; quite unique. CALEDONIA SPIRITS 92 Square One Bergamot Organic Vodka, USA ($35) Bright orange peel nose; orange and herbs with notes of ginger and coriander ; spicy, dry and flavorful with clean, complex flavors— almost gin-like; long and aromatic. SQUARE ONE VODKA 92 Don Felix Añejo Tequila Edición Limitada, Mexico ($55) Smoky agave nose; smooth and rich with smoke and good intensity with notes of caramel and spice; long and deep; elegant. MARSALLE COMPANY 92 Don Felix Añejo Tequila Edición Limitada, ($55) nose; smooth and rich with smoke and good intensity with notes of caramel and spice; long and deep; elegant.