The Tasting Panel magazine

Abacela Winery 2005 Paramour, Umpqua Valley, Oregon ($90) This is a smart wine: as bright as can be. Besides the graduating Bordeaux-like acidity (better with each bite of food), desirably delicious fruit won us over, wreathed in eucalyptus, chocolate mint and blue fl owers. 94 La Vieille Ferme 2010 Rouge, Ventoux, France ($9) Silky tannins paint the tongue with a cherry-tipped feather. As trippingly light on the tongue as it is fl avorwise, the body is full and luscious. A great value from the slopes of Mt. Ventoux, from the Perrin family of Château de Beaucastel. 90 VINEYARD BRANDS Essay 2011 Chenin Blanc (Steen), Western Cape, South Africa ($10) From the Western Cape comes this dry belle of the Southern Hemisphere. Known as Steen in South Africa, this varietal shows lemon-lime blossoms reveal tart green apple and a guava-trop- ical lime chiffon twist. It goes edgy and stony towards the fi nish—and that's all she wrote. 89 SPIRITS Tributo a Mi Padre Blanco Tequila, Mexico ($27) The peppered chocolate nose piques the senses: charcoal and agave steeliness is hot on the tongue. Chili hot. The man-handling peppered personality zings and punches. This is a statement- making blanco. 90 INNOVATION SPIRITS, LLC Pura Vida Gold Tequila, Mexico ($35) Actually a reposado, this 100% agave azul tequila has a sage, cactus and woodlands nose: I felt I was lost in a forest—but happy about it. On the palate, a peppered explosion turns into a creamy, candied pineapple, with a side of oatmeal cookies. I found my way out of the woods. 91 PURA VIDA TEQUILA COMPANY january/february 2012 / the tasting panel / 53 The_Tasting_Panel_Magazine_570,10x254.indd 1 13/12/11 10:17 Crown Valley Distilling Vodka, USA ($30) Banana cream pie may seem an unlikely aroma, but here it is, cozying up with kiwi and grape juice. Blue fruit taxis to the clean fi nish. From Missouri and only available locally . . . for the time being. 92 CROWN VALLEY DISTILLING Masterson's 10 Year Old Straight Rye Whiskey, Canada ($80) Sweet Valencia oranges—just-squeezed and sweetened with buttered caramel—is a perfumed incense that begins the steady fl ow of aromas and fl avors of this 90-proof Canadian rye. A distinct taste and sense of cinnamon buns warming in the oven with an eggnog back is more proof of an amazing liquid. Toffee, pepper and wheat toast soothe to the fi nish. 95 35 MAPLE STREET VODKA USA Here are my notes on three all-American vodkas that recently arrived. —M. M. Spring44 Vodka, USA ($25) Sweet notes of chocolate and vanilla beckon on the nose . . . enticing you into a more severe, seriously peppered universe, hot and sweet. Hot with black pep- per and sweet with cocoa and anise. From Oregon. 90 COTTAGE GROVE DISTILLERY Teton Glacier Potato Vodka, USA ($20) Citrus blossoms are a pretty entry, gliding on a creamy palate. A slow build at mid-palate sends pine needles and herbs to the foreground. Made in Idaho. 91 NICHE IMPORTS LOIRE WINES ANGERS • FRANCE A MASTERPIECE OF A VINTAGE TASTING FROM 6 FEBRUARY 6 TO 8 FEBRUARY THE ANNUAL EVENT FOR WINE PROFESSIONALS AT THE SALON DES VINS DE LOIRE www.salondesvinsdeloire.com REGISTER FOR YOUR BADGE AT - Photo credits: Laurent Grivet - Istock 2011

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