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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. DOMESTIC 90 Sauvignon Blanc, White Grass, Sonoma County ($16) Melon and pear nose; juicy grapefruit, citrus and peach with silky texture and a long finish. Mara Wines 2010 90 90 2010 Mandala, American White Table Wine ($20) A surprise from Arizona. Bright and juicy with racy acidity and fresh, clean citrus fruit; minerally, lively and focused with a long, tangy finish. 87% Viognier, 8% Grenache Blanc, 5% Orange Muscat. Arizona Stronghold 95 42 / the tasting panel / april 2012 Rutherford ($150) Wow! A powerhouse with gobs of plum, black cherry and cassis plus chocolate, licorice and spice; huge but balanced, focused and articulate; generous and balanced with memorable flavors and great style. 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot. Frank Family Vineyards 2008 Winston Hill, Vineyards 2010 Chardonnay, Kali Hart, Monterey ($19) Bright and Robert Talbott tangy with lively acidity, fresh fruit and vibrant flavors; balanced and fresh with a long finish. 91 County ($20) Lovely orange peel and blossom nose; silky and crisp with purity and great acid structure; juicy peach and lush texture; long and bright. JACKSON FAMILY WINES Matanzas Creek 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Sonoma 91 90 91 95 Napa Valley ($45) Lush texture with racy acidity and bright citrus fruit; rich, dense and generous with vanilla oak and bright, tangy flavors. ($25) Smooth and toasty with lush plum and good concentration; long and ripe with depth, balance and style; supple and rich. Fidélitas 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley Expression 2010 Pinot Noir, 38, Gap's Crown Vineyard, Sonoma Coast ($48) Violets in the nose lead to ripe, elegant cherry with underlying tangy acidity; complex with notes of minerals, wild flowers and berries; juicy and long, stylish and elegant. 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Cask 23, Napa Valley ($195) This stunning wine heralds the re-emergence of SLWC at the top of the Napa Valley hierarchy; elegant, powerful and dense with rich texture and spice, it displays plum, cherry and blackberry fruit; long and lingering. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars STE. MICHELLE WINE ESTATES Hunnicutt 2010 Chardonnay, Rancho Sarco Vineyard,