Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/65124
Justin Vineyards & Winery 2009 Isosceles, Paso Robles ($62) A fi rm, steady heartbeat of violets (on both the nose and the palate). A love triangle of bal- ance, round tannins and a black, juicy luscious fruit. An espresso latte mint expressiveness denotes some of the back story: cellared 24 months in French oak. Unfi ned and unfi ltered. 95 Santa Barbara Winery 2009 Grenache, Lafond Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills ($26) A tightly wound, serious red that is gentled by its bright acid and juicy raspberry and heightened by its fennel fi nish. 90 SPIRITS Van Gogh PB&J ($27) You can recognize the bread, the raspberry jam and the peanut butter before you take the fi rst sip. This is an amuse bouche for the fl avored vodka lover: makes us laugh, lets us enjoy simple pleasures. 89 VAN GOGH IMPORTS White Pike Whiskey, USA ($39) An out-of-the-ordinary white whiskey with notes of butter almond and vanilla nougat on the nose. Warm and cozy on the palate, a sensation of melting white chocolate and butter biscuits backed by barley and buckwheat. 91 MOTHER INDUSTRIES Forbidden Secret Dark Mocha American Cream, USA ($25) A silk-textured blend of American dairy cream, Jailers Premium Tennessee Whiskey, dark chocolate with a spicy edge and espresso mingle together. The cream melts and releases its whiskey roots from peach to black pepper. 92 CAPITAL BRANDS/TENNESSE SPIRITS CO. Campo de Encanto Distiller's Reserve Single Vineyard Quebranta Pisco, Peru ($45) This single varietal Quebranta Pisco is a melange of various vintages and lots, and what a masterful orchestration. The nose invites with chocolate-covered blueber- ries and a savory lemon verbena. Spearmint/red cherry is the fi rst fl avor that hits the tongue with a pillow-plush bounce. The minty brightness and sweet candied pineapple is an ample fi nish. 94 HAAS BROTHERS may 2012 / the tasting panel / 67 PHOTO: JEREMY BALL