Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/807384
april 2017 / the tasting panel / 75 94 Black Stallion 2013 Transcendent Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($150) This wax-sealed high-end effort from Delicato transcends the winery's reputation for value wines; dense with ripe plum and blackberry fruit; deep, lush and balanced with concentrated style; quite lovely. DFV WINES 91 Gundlach Bundschu 2014 Mountain Cuvée, Sonoma County ($20) Quite a steal in a Bordeaux-style blend with notes of herbs and spice; ripe plum and generous berry fruit. 56% Merlot, 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec, 1% Petit Verdot. 95 Spring Mountain Vineyard 2012 Elivette, Napa Valley ($150) A highly collectible Bordeaux- style blend from this St. Helena winery. Fresh, rich plum nose; elegant, supple and showing lush plum, cassis and boysenberry; vanilla, tar and ripe, balanced style with lovely length and finesse. 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, 8% Petit Verdot, 2% Merlot. 93 Charles Heintz 2013 Valentina Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($48) This grower-turned-vintner makes stunning Burgundian wines such as this savory, elegant and balanced Pinot with spice, pepper and lively berry fruit. 97 Beringer Vineyards 2013 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($170) Dark and luscious with smooth texture and black plum with cassis and notes of spice, chocolate and earth; stunning depth and complexity; magnificent now, but give it a few years and you will see how great California Cabernet can be. TREASURY WINE ESTATES IMPORTS 90 Wittman 2015 100 Hills Pinot Blanc, Rheinhessen, Germany ($18) A racy, everyday version of this venerable winery's Weissburgunder with lively citrus and crisp acidity. LOOSEN BROS. USA 92 Three Bridges 2015 Tumbarumba Chardonnay, Barossa Valley, Australia ($23) From an Italian-Australian family producer. Tangy and floral with bright, crisp style. Excellent value. VINEYARD BRANDS 94 Cave Spring Cellars 2014 Riesling Icewine, Niagara Peninsula, Canada ($50/375 ml.) Golden amber color ; lovely candied apricot nose; silky texture and juicy, sweet and burnished fruit; tangy acidity and lovely balance. MGZ ASSOCIATES 94 Capensis 2014 Chardonnay, Western Cape, South Africa ($80) This Chardonnay specialist shows once again how South Africa's Cape is ideal terroir for this variety. refined and elegant; creamy and lightly toasted with soft vanilla tones. Gorgeous. JACKSON FAMILY WINES 92 Alta Vista 2014 Terroir Selection Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($30) Dark with a rich, blackberry nose; densely packed with plum and berry fruit and vanilla-spice notes; grown at over 3,200 feet above sea level. KOBRAND 91 Psagot 2014 M-series Cabernet Sauvignon, Jerusalem Hills, Israel ($31) Bright plum and berry fruit; meaty, clean and spicy with excellent structure and balance; long and stylish. Kosher. ROYAL WINE COMPANY 92 Boekenhoutskloof 2014 Syrah, Coastal Region, South Africa ($74) This historic winery, orignally founded in 1776, keeps a modern edge. Racy clove spice and bright black raspberry against tangy acidity and hints of chocolate; fresh and deep. VINEYARD BRANDS 92 Apaltagua 2012 Grial Carmenère, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($75) Chile's signature red in a version with clean, forward plum and berry fruit. GLOBAL VINEYARD 96 Château de Beaucastel 2014 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, France ($95) A stunning example of this Southern Rhône blend with a smooth, earthy nose, velvety texture and fruit-forward style; lovely, generous ripe black raspberry fruit and an exquisite finish. VINEYARD BRANDS 96 Taylor Fladgate 1967 Single Harvest–Limited Edition Tawny Port, Portugal ($300) Intense, mature and toasty rancio nose; fine texture and creamy, complex style; fresh and sweet but beautifully aged with great depth and incredible length and finesse. KOBRAND