Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/818616
72 / the tasting panel / may 2017 DOMESTIC 90 Margerum Wine Company 2015 Sybarite Sauvignon Blanc, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara ($21) Veteran Santa Barbara vintner Doug Margerum makes this creamy Sauv Blanc with ripe, juicy style; lush and silky. 92 Cambria Winery 2015 Benchbreak Estate Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley ($22) A juicy Chard with notes of toasty vanilla oak; sleek and balanced with lovely structure and length. JACKSON FAMILY VINEYARDS 92 Bouchaine Vineyards 2014 Estate Chardonnay, Carneros ($30) Bouchaine, the oldest continuously operating winery in the Carneros District, knows Chardonnay. Toasty notes and crisp texture; bright, balanced and elegant; long and stylish. 92 Jordan 2015 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($32) Jordan's two wines—a Cabernet and this Chard—have become definitive representatives of these varietals. Elegant structure and juicy style; sleek and fresh with tangy construction; clean and modern. 93 Domaine Carneros 2008 Le Rêve, Carneros ($110) The prestige cuvée from Taittinger's younger California sibling is polished and layered with deep, juicy fruit and a fine, lengthy finish. KOBRAND 91 Clearwater Canyon 2014 Syrah, Umiker Vineyard, Lewis- Clark Valley, Idaho ($28) Idaho moves into Rhône terriroty with this toasty and supple and balanced Syrah laced with vanilla and intense blackberry fruit. 90 Holly's Hill Vineyards 2015 Estate Mourvèdre, El Dorado ($28) Smooth and fresh with silky texture; dense and juicy with notes of earth and ripe fruit; toasty and balanced; long and deep. 92 Swanson 2013 Merlot, Napa Valley ($32) Merlot is bouncing back after way too long off the radar ; this stylish version is smooth, lush and rich with notes of earth, spice and plum fruit. (Seriously, who can dislike Merlot?) VINTAGE WINE ESTATES 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 91 terriroty with this toasty and