Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/793596
72 / the tasting panel / march 2017 DOMESTIC 92 Paraduxx 2015 Proprietary White Wine, Napa Valley ($30) Duckhorn dedicates this label to blends. Mellow and tangy with juicy and bright style; aromatic and lush with creamy texture, rich style and lovely depth. 67% Viognier, 22% Chardonnay, 6% Roussanne, 5% Marsanne. DUCKHORN WINE CO. 93 Center of Effort 2013 Chardonnay, Edna Valley ($35) A nice Effort indeed. Silky and bright with racy acidity and lovely notes of sweet vanilla oak; fresh and modern with elegance and tangy, exuberant style. 93 Pepper Bridge Winery 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, Walla Walla Valley ($36) Silky and deep with rich, intense flavors of ripe, precise fruit; another master work by Norm McKibben and Jean-François Pellet, and it's sustainable too! 92 Robert Mondavi 2014 Reserve Chardonnay, Carneros, Napa Valley ($55) Still a Carneros classic. Lush, ripe pear and smooth new oak that doesn't cover the keen cool-climate fruit. CONSTELLATION WINE U.S. 91 Morgan Winery 2015 Cotes du Crow's, Monterey ($18) Winemaker Dan Lee's Central Coast take on a Côtes du Rhône; spice and ripe blackberry fruit; killer value for everyday drinking. 52% Grenache, 44% Syrah, 4% Tempranillo. 91 Andis Wines 2013 Zinfandel, Amador County ($25) Amador comes on strong with this bright and juicy Zin with racy acidity and tangy berry fruit; a winery to watch. 20% Petite Sirah. 89 Estancia 2014 Reserve GSM, Monterey ($25) Dark, dense and showing an earthy nose; smooth and spicy with a rich, balanced finish. 48% Grenache, 42 % Syrah, 10% Mourvèdre. CONSTELLATION WINE U.S. 92 Chamisal 2013 Pinot Noir, Chamisal Vineyard, Edna Valley ($40) From talented Kiwi-born winemaker Fintan du Fresne. Cherry and strawberry fruit; juicy, fresh and tangy; long and balanced; fresh and classic. CRIMSON WINE GROUP 92 The Prisoner Wine Company 2014 Saldo Zinfandel, California ($55) Sourced from historic dry-farmed vineyards across Northern California. Rich, caramel nose; silky and smooth with spice and ripe blackberry fruit; long and stylish. 15% Petite Sirah and Syrah. CONSTELLATION WINE U.S. In 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. Prices are for 750 ml. bottles unless otherwise noted. Anthony Dias BLUE REVIEWS BLUE REVIEWS 89 Dark, 93