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BLUE REVIEWS 91 Riserva, Italy ($53) Smooth and fleshy with ripe plum, raspberry and violets; deep, supple and juicy with balance and lovely style; lush and long with style and grace. STE. MICHELLE WINE ESTATES Antinori 2007 Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico 91 95 Domaine de la Solitude 2009 Châteauneuf-du-Pape "Cornelia Constanza," France ($55) Deep, lush and ripe with intense plum and blackberry; rich, minerally and big with spice, flesh and a long, deep finish. LANGDON SHIVERICK Brezza 2007 Barolo Sarmassa, Italy ($75) Silky and smooth with softness and elegance and lovely floral notes; vibrant and rich with amazing depth and finesse; exquisite and stunning. LANGDON SHIVERICK VALUE AND BY-THE-GLASS RECOMMENDATIONS 88 La Vieille Ferme 2011 Luberon Blanc, France ($9) Fresh, smooth and spicy with lush texture and ripe, aromatic flavors; clean, long and balanced with style and good length. VINEYARD BRANDS Valle de Tulúm, San Juan, Argentina ($9) Smooth, fresh and juicy with tangy acidity, melon, spice and orange blossoms; silky, bright and balanced. PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL 88 88 88 Mendoza, Argentina ($11) Silky and bright with fresh black raspberry and plum; tangy, juicy and balanced. Padrillos Malbec, VINEYARD BRANDS ($13) Smooth and ripe with soft oak, tropical fruit and good structure; rich, lush and balanced; sustainable and kosher. ROYAL WINE CORP. Baron Herzog 2010 Chardonnay, Central Coast 58 / the tasting panel / august 2012 Ernesto Catena Selections 2011 Bodegas Callia 2010 Callia Alta Torrontès, The Virginia Governor's Cup Case THE VIRGINIA GOVERNOR'S CUP WINE COMPETITION is one of the most respected wine competitions in the United States, a partnership among the Virginia Wine Board, the Virginia Wineries Association and the Virginia Vineyards Association. Any wine made from 100 percent Virginia fruit is eligible. These 12 wines selected for the "Governor's Cup Case" were the top-ranking wines from the 2012 competition. Glen Manor Vineyards won the top honor of the Governor's Cup for its 2009 Hodder Hill. My recent tasting showed that Virginia wine has truly come of age. 89 88 90 91 ($22) Smooth and earthy with plum, spice and notes of licorice; silky texture and complex flavors, supple and long. Reserve, Virginia ($27) Dense and concentrated with blackberry and cassis fruit; nicely structured and showing notes of spice, oak and herbs; complex and long. Potomac Point Winery 2009 Richland Heritage Keswick Vineyards 2010 Merlot, Monticello ($28) Dark and bright with clean, fresh, tangy fruit and firm structure; fresh, silky and vibrant with nerve and balance; long and stylish. Virginia ($30) Dark, ripe and lush with black cherry and hints of mocha; juicy, spicy and showing toasty oak and lovely complexity; long, rich and balanced with style and finesse. Bluestone Vineyard 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, 89 Reserve, Monticello ($35) Dark, dense and concentrated with deep fruit and notes of oak and chocolate; juicy and balanced with good structure and length. Keswick Vineyards 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Jefferson Vineyards 2010 Cabernet Franc, Monticello 90 Monticello ($35) Smooth and rich with ripe blackberry and spice; tangy, vivid and showing good acid structure; balanced and lengthy; 42% Merlot, 25% Petit Verdot, 17% Cabernet Franc and 16% Cabernet Sauvignon. Veritas Vineyard & Winery 2010 Vintner's Reserve, 89 90 92 Glen Manor Vineyards 2009 Hodder Hill, Virginia ($35) Smooth textured, medium-bodied with ripe plum, raspberry, firm acid structure, subtle oak, spice and style; 63% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot. Monticello ($35) Lush and smooth with tangy raspberry, ripe damson and sweet blackberry; juicy and rich with deep, generous flavors and good balance; vibrant and balanced. Delfosse Vineyards and Winery 2007 Meritage, ($75) Velvety smooth with rich blackberry and cassis fruit; elegant, supple with notes of oak, spice, chocolate and earth; long, stylish and very impressive; 52% Merlot, 25% Petit Verdot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 8% Malbec. King Family Vineyards 2008 Meritage, Monticello