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Chasseur 2014 Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast ($40) With a sweet, red berry nose, the wine dives into a light, ethereal persona. Delicate flavors of cranberry and cherry are seasoned with Italian herbs for savory flavor and dotted with cinnamon for brightness. 92 HUNTER WINE CELLARS Achaval-Ferrer 2014 Finca Altamira Malbec, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina ($150) Malbec vines as old as 80 years, grown in altitudes exceeding three thousand feet, are responsible for this chewy, meaty small production red. Aged 13 months in French oak, the aromas arrange a blueberry- soil sensation with salty sage and caramel cedar. Iron and wild cherry are arranged to balance with oak and fine acid. The benevolent black fruit and blooming blue fruit is set before a backdrop of toasted coconut and a melted chocolate. 95 TENUTE DEL MUNDO (STOLI GROUP) Arcudi 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Sears Vineyard, Howell Mountain, Napa Valley ($150) The fruit is from the highest vineyard on Howell Mountain at a 2,400-foot eleva- tion and farmed biodynamically. Aged in 100% French oak for 18 months, the wine is all about character and texture even more than the fruit and power it exudes. Rich and concentrated, you can pick out all the nuances you'd expect: leather, graphite, mountain brush—and so much more. 95 SPIRITS Rock N Roll Platinum Tequila, Mexico ($50) Clean, bright nose of lemon verbena and white peppered agave. The firm, spiced notes on the palate strikes the right chords, keeping its character sharp and focused. Vanilla bean, cigar leaf and red fruit lay claim to a touchdown when it comes to flavor and texture. The guitar-shaped glass packaging is one of the most unique we've seen: take off the top and it becomes a 50-ml bottle. A creative concept from the partner- ship of retail veteran Scott Woolley and NFL legend Dan Marino. 93 ROCK N ROLL IMPORTS Michter's 10-Year Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon 2017 Bottling, USA ($120) Master Distiller Pamela Heilmann released this as a nod to Master Distiller Emeritus Willie Pratt's induction into a whisky publication's Hall of Fame—but we're celebrating on our own with each sip of this robust and expressive 94.4-proof spirit. Concentrated notes of apricot nectar, oatmeal with brown sugar, grapefruit rind and sugared beets are aromatic and sensual. Lush, deep notes of sweet tobacco, bacon, orange zest and black plum are palate pleasers. The finish offers a welcoming warmth.96 Lejay Crème de Cassis, Dijon, France ($20) Created from two varietals of fruit de cassis (blackcurrant), this low-proof (18% ABV) liqueur, produced in the Bourgogne region, is the original—as Henri Lejay married the daughter of the founder. The nose is exquisite: scents of lavendar and plum marry with aromas of blackcurrant. The palate smoothes dreamily over the tongue, bringing a tartness to the sides of the cheek, cherry-lime and a whisper of blue pet- als—with that velvety jamminess that finishes the parade with an exotic Asian spice. 95 ABCK CORP. VO|CO, USA ($2.99–$3.99 per can/$9.99–$12.99 per 4-pack) An enticing 11-proof vodka and coconut water companionship. The nose is decisively clean and clearly . . . coconut. The light touch on the palate, thanks to the low level of alcohol, is as disarming as it is a pleasant surprise—it's refreshing! We all know the benefits of coconut water ; this can benefit cocktails as well. VO|CO certainly readies us for summer drink recipe ideas. 90 VOCO LLC BEER Gus the Bus IPA, Sonoma, CA, USA ($15 per 4-pack) A friendly drive through a redwood forest: scents of pine, orange peel and restrained notes of caramel and oats from the hops and malt offer restrained sweetness. Earthy notes on the palate meld with orange ginger root. Dried mountain herbs are refreshingly clean with a grapefruit peel that puts the brakes on until the next sip. 92 3 BADGE ZYMOLOGY 78 / the tasting panel / may 2017 Publisher's PICKS Earth Wise Vineyards 2015 Red Wine Blend, Spain ($25/3L) There's more than the juice to talk about with this box wine, but the juice is the primary spotlight for our review. Fragrant with red berries and spiced charcuterie, a silky palate that offers tilled soil and summer-picked raspberry. The grapes are organically grown in regions throughout Spain, primarily around La Mancha. The blend of Syrah, Tempranillo, Cabernet Sauvignon and Garnacha Tintorera is fruit-forward with fine acidity. The bag-in-box package is 100% recyclable, printed on 95% post-consumer fiber, and cornstarch—instead of glue—is used to bond it together. Bravo! 90 DFW WINES Top Value of the month!