Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/488317
64 / the tasting panel / april 2015 DOMESTIC 90 Frei Brothers Reserve 2013 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($20) Bright and crisp with rich, creamy fruit and lively structure; smooth and lush with soft oak and vanilla. GALLO 89 Blair Estate 2013 Pinot Gris, Meador Estate, Arroyo Seco ($26) Deep gold color ; dry and lush with lush fruit and tangy acidity; long and rounded with balance and a dense finish. 90 Silver Palm 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, North Coast ($19) Silky and smooth with ripe plum and juicy style; fresh, balanced and entirely charming. JACKSON FAMILY WINES 90 Lynmar Estate 2012 Chardonnay, Quail Hill Vineyard, Russian River Valley ($40) Silky and elegant with tangy style and deep flavors of fruit, spice and wood; smooth and long. 92 Donati Family Vineyard 2012 The Immigrant, Paicines ($40) Donati is the only wine label based in the little-known Paicines AVA, in San Benito County, CA. Tangy plum, raspberry and cassis, with lovely notes of spice and oak. 86% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. 91 Saxon Brown Wines 2012 Chardonnay, Durell Vineyard, Sonoma Coast ($58) Lush and creamy with concentrated flavors of fruit and good acid structure; silky, spicy with finesse and style. 90 The Prisoner Wine Company 2012 Thorn Merlot, Napa Valley ($40) Dense plum and black raspberry take the lead here; deep, polished and long with balance and style. 78% Merlot with Syrah and Malbec. HUNEEUS VINTNERS 90 Gundlach Bundschu 2013 Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast ($27) Smooth and toasty with creamy texture and ripe fruit; long and balanced, rich and stylish. 93 Mt. Brave 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder ($75) Deep, lush and smoky nose; smooth, rich and fleshy with a core of bright, juicy acidity; deep and intense, balanced and long. 94% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc. JACKSON FAMILY WINES IMPORTS 90 Forrest Estate 2013 The Doctors' Grüner Veltliner, Marlborough, New Zealand ($18) Steely and minerally with round, tangy fruit; dry, precise and balanced with racy acidity and a long finish. PACIFIC PRIME WINES In each issue, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dias Blue selects a wide range of the best wines and spirits from among the more than 500 he samples over the course of a month. The reviews are subjective editorial evaluations, made without regard to advertising, and products are scored on a 100-point scale: 85-89: VERY GOOD 90-94: OUTSTANDING 95-100: CLASSIC Once products are selected for publication, producers and importers will be offered the option of having their review accompanied by an image (bottle photo or label art) for a nominal fee. There is no obligation to add an image, nor does the decision affect the review or score in any way. The "twisty" icon indicates wines sealed with a screwcap closure. For additional Blue Reviews, go to www.tastingpanelmag.com. Prices are for 750 ml. bottles unless otherwise noted. Anthony Dias BLUE REVIEWS BLUE REVIEWS