Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/566135
september 2015 / the tasting panel / 79 88 Ricardo Santos 2014 Semillon, Mendoza, Argentina ($16) Ricardo Santos specialized in Malbec but recently added this white to his line-up; lush fruit and lovely balance; rich, long and balanced. GLOBAL VINEYARD 88 Piccini Memoro Vino Rosso d'Italia, Italy ($12) An everyday non-vintage quaffer, smooth and earthy with dense black fruits and spice; juicy, fresh and long. FOLEY FAMILY WINES SPIRITS 91 Azzurre Gin, USA ($33) Distilled from equal parts grapes, apples and sugarcane; soft and fruity with aromatic botanicals; smooth and herbal, clove and angelica; mellow and long. AZZURRE SPIRITS 92 Santera Reposado Tequila, Mexico ($43) A polished new tequila brand in beautiful, minimalist packaging; smooth and smoky with smooth agave and spice plus notes of sweet oak; balanced, lush, long and stylish. SANTERA IMPORTS 94 Pikesville Straight Rye Whiskey Six Years Old, USA ($45) Heaven Hill's entry into the rye sweepstakes; medium amber color ; lovely aromatic nose; silky, spicy with fresh rye and pepper ; deep and juicy with toasty, rich elegant flavors. HEAVEN HILL DISTILLERIES 94 Reed & Lacey California Gold Honey Molasses Barley Spirit, USA ($59) A unique spirit from two San Francisco Bay Area bartenders-turned-distillers; smooth honey nose; rich and toasty with lovely molasses and honey; lush and toasted with smoke, hickory and sweet Christmas spice; mellow and lovely. REED & LACEY LLC 92 Bloomery SweetShine Pumpkin Spice, USA ($24) A seasonal liqueur is one of several flavors from this distillery in West Virginia; deep amber color ; spicy nose with notes of pepper ripe pumpkin flavor ; cream with vanilla and lovely spice. BLOOMERY PLANTATION DISTILLERY