The Tasting Panel magazine

December 2011

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BLUE REVIEWS Anthony Dias BLUE REVIEWS I n 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. For this holiday season, these are some of my top choices for gift-giving. —A. D. B. DOMESTIC 92 Hilliard Bruce 2009 Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills ($45) Bright and juicy with elegance, style and great balance between fruit and structure; creamy, lush and tangy with lovely depth and length. 93 91 91 48 / the tasting panel / december 201 1 Patz & Hall 2009 Chardonnay, Zio Tony Vineyard, Russian River Valley ($60) Bright and silky with ripe fruit and stunning acidity; powerful but still elegant and complex; juicy, pure, intense and amazing. Kenwood Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Artist Series, Sonoma County ($70) Supple and smooth with notes of cinnamon and spice in the nose; soft and lush, with plum and nice flesh; long and seamless, deep and rich. Francis Coppola 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Archimedes, Sonoma County ($52) Smooth, lush and dense with lovely plum and berry fruit; rich, supple and concentrated; ripe, sweet and intense; long and balanced. 93 93 Howell at the Moon 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain ($75) Velvety and smooth with ripe, generous plum, minerals and berry fruit; elegantly structured and juicy with great balance and a long, tangy finish; fresh, stylish and quite impressive. 92 Boyanci 2008 Inspire Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($60) Smooth and luscious, dense and rich with plum, black cherry and spice; concentrated and ripe with good structure and length. 94 Coup de Foudre 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($95) Dark, dense and ripe with lovely sweet plum, blackberry and cassis; rich and concentrated but neatly balanced by a core of firm acidity; supple and showing notes of toasty oak, chocolate and coffee; long, intense and harmonious. Ladera Vineyards 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Howell Mountain Vineyard, Napa Valley ($70) Deep and tannic with black plum, blueberry and blackberry; nice minerals and spice; balanced and made for aging; long and complex.

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