Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/46939
BLUE REVIEWS 89 88 Toad Hollow Vineyards 2009 Erik's the Red, California ($15) Smooth, dense and meaty taste with lush fl avor, showing ripe plum, blackberry and spice; rich, deep and balanced fl avor; long and concentrated taste. 88 88 Chateau Ste. Michelle 2008 Syrah, Columbia Valley ($13) Smooth and meaty with lush blackberry and spice; dense, velvety and rich. STE. MICHELLE WINE ESTATES Nals Margreid 2009 Lagrein, Aus Gries, SüdtirolAlto Adige, Italy ($15) Bright, fresh and juicy with ripe black raspberry and lovely smooth texture; lively, balanced and appealing. THE COUNTRY VINTNER SPIRITS 94 92 Colby Red 2009, California ($13) Full and lush taste with smooth, velvety texture and rich plum and spice; dense, clean and nicely made; a percentage of proceeds go to heart disease research. TREASURY WINE ESTATES 92 Bloom London Dry Gin, U.K. ($25) Soft and fl oral nose; smooth and creamy with notes of chamomile and honeysuckle; mellow citrus and aromatic notes of honey and spice with a nice kick of heat on the fi nish; rich, dense and concentrated. G&J GREENALL Casa de Reynoso Reposado Tequila, Mexico ($30) Sweet, smooth agave nose with creamy texture and clean, ripe, aromatic and mellow fl avors of vanilla and spice; long, rich fi nish. OCOTILLO IMPORTATION 91 Whistling Andy Hibiscus- Coconut Rum, USA ($24) Pinkish amber color; silky texture shows sweet, fl oral and coconut notes; racy, sweet but not sugary, spicy, bright and sleek; lingering tones of vanilla and nicely homogeneous fl avors. A Montana distillery to watch. WHISTLING ANDY DISTILLERY Canadian Rye Whisky Aged 90 I Spirit Vodka, Italy ($35) Lovely vanilla nose; silky, creamy and lush with smooth marshmallow fl avors and runing deep with lovely texture, clean and balanced. MHW LTD. 12 Years ($40) Smooth, toasty caramel nose; creamy, lush and showing sweet, smoky fl avors; rich, long and extremely mellow; notes of orange peel, toffee and honey. HOOD RIVER DISTILLERS 96 Parker's Heritage Collection Bourbon, 10 Years Old, USA ($80) Deep amber color; rich nose of cherry, toasted vanilla oak and spice; creamy caramel and cherry fruit with elegance and complex, layered fl avors; amazing and mellow with a really long fi nish and gorgeous bearing. HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERY 94 Johnnie Walker Double Black Blended Scotch Whisky, Scotland ($40) Smooth, smoky nose with notes of heather and earth; lush, mouth-fi lling fl avors of spice, smoke, toasted oak and hickory; rich, masculine and creamy with complex fl avors of caramel and dried fruit. A very fi ne new version of Johnnie Walker's signature blend. DIAGEO NORTH AMERICA 40 / the tasting panel / november 201 1 Pendleton 1910 91 Auchentoshan Valinch 2011 ($60) A non-chill- fi ltered, cask-strength (115 proof) edition of Auchtoschan Classic. Smooth vanilla nose; pale color, lush, creamy and showing sweet oak, mellow with crème brûlée, vanilla custard and spice. SKYY SPIRITS Sweet and aromatic with notes of peach and lychee; smooth and balanced; racy and long. 90 90 DOMAINE SELECT Bärenjäger Honey Liqueur, Germany ($28) Light amber color; sweet, ripe and densely textured with honey, spice and a nice kiss of alcohol heat; creamy, long and rich. Now in updated packaging. SIDNEY FRANK IMPORTING Dimmi Liquore di Milano, Italy ($60) C M Y CM MY CY CMY K