Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/844641
76 / the tasting panel / july 2017 BLUE REVIEWS 90 Ravage Wines 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($13) Dark and seducitve with lush blackberry and rich, dense flavors; ripe and showing vanilla and velvety texture. CONSTELLATION WINE 91 Santa Cristina 2015 Rosso, Toscana IGT, Italy ($13) Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah make up this silky Tuscan red with fresh plum and blackberry. STE. MICHELLE WINE ESTATES 90 Famille Perrin 2015 Nature, Côtes du Rhône AOC, France ($15) A charming CDR with deep ruby color ; smooth and fresh with racy acidity. From organic Grenache and Syrah. VINEYARD BRANDS 89 Tie Dye Cellars 2014 Red Blend, North Coast ($15) Here's to the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love! Earthy wooden nose; light-bodied yet lush with ripe, rich blackberry tones. 62% Syrah, 12% Petite Sirah, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 6% Grenache. MENDOCINO WINE COMPANY SPIRITS 95 Caorunn Small Batch Scottish Gin, Scotland ($35) Citrus and floral nose; silky and fresh with notes of heather, dandelion and apple; superbly mellow with creamy texture and unique style. 375 PARK AVENUE SPIRITS 92 Seersucker Southern Style Gin, USA ($25) A refreshing gin for hot, humid days below the Mason-Dixon line . . . or anywhere else. Smooth citrus nose; lush and generous with soft texture and lovely balance. AZAR DISTILLING 94 Lone Whisker Straight Bourbon Whiskey, USA ($150) Aged 12 years for a lush, toasty-floral nose; silky and smooth-textured with cherry fruit notes; elegant, refined and generous. 93 Do Good Distillery The Benevolent Czar Whisky, USA ($50) From California's Central Valley; lush grain-and- spice nose; silky and toasty with roasted, complex flavors; rich and intense. DO GOOD DISTILLERY 93 Jura 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland ($55) Warm amber color ; silky smooth and slightly toasted; lush dried fruit with hints of ginger, coffee and chocolate and showing a sweet Sherry finish. WHYTE & MACKAY 92 Tuaca Originale Liquore Italiano ($20) Made in Canada using Italian brandy; deep amber color ; creamy and lush with vanilla, caramel and hazelnut; a classic with lots of finesse. THE SAZERAC COMPANY Beyond Sauvignon Blanc PINOT NOIR IS NEW ZEALAND'S CALLING- CARD RED by Anthony Dias Blue JUST TEN SHORT YEARS AGO, any mention of New Zealand wine would almost automatically refer to Sauvignon Blanc, at least as far as American wine drinkers were concerned. The pungently racy varietal pretty much put Kiwi wine on the world map. But Kiwis no longer live by Sauvignon Blanc alone. New Zealand winemakers now have the Pinot Noir bug, and they're making outstanding versions of this cool- climate red varietal, mainly in two stragetic locations: marine-influenced Hawkes Bay (spelled Hawke's Bay by some producers) on the eastern coast of the North Island and landlocked Central Otago in the cool southern portion of the South Island. Both are ideally suited to this noble Burgundian grape, to which the New Zealanders bring their characteristically vibrant spin.