Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/844641
july 2017 / the tasting panel / 79 DiBruno 2016 Pinot Grigio, Santa Barbara County ($24) Crispness is key in this Santa Barbara charmer from winemaker Bruno D'Alfonso. White rose notes sit delicately on the palate, framed with chamomile, tart green apple and lemon drops. 92 D'ALFONSO-CURRAN WINES Leese-Fitch 2015 Pinot Noir, California ($12) Baking spices flower the nose: a touch of cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg, along with dried roses and an earth tonality. Exotically spiced, with deeper-than-usual character for this variety. Cola and tart red cherries keep it lively! 89 3 BADGE BEVERAGE CORPORATION Paul Dolan Vineyards 2015 Zinfandel, Mendocino ($15) Made from organically grown grapes sourced from high- elevation vineyards overlooking the Russian River in this Northern California AVA, this stunning Zin offers up blackberry compote and orange zest, while a thread of black pep- per winds its way around dusty plum on the finish. 91 Zin-Phomaniac 2015 Old Vines Zinfandel, Lodi ($15) Fewer grape clusters and small ber- ries from 35- to 80-year old vines create an intensity of character and a fruit expression of sweet cherry, cinnamon and a bramble of sage, thyme and pine. The juicy bounty of savory/sweet molasses and ripe blueberry finishes with a slap of white pepper and plum. 90 MENDOCINO WINE CO. Zuccardi 2015 Serie A Bonarda, Santa Rosa Vineyards, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina ($15) Zuccardi's Serie A—the Argentina Series—rec- ognizes the country's best growing regions for specific grapes. Opaque black in color with a nose of spiced plum and dark roast coffee, this ripe red opens to blackberries, cigar leaf and white pepper. 89 WINESELLERS www.sipjacksonmorgan.com Jackson Morgan Southern Cream banana pudding takes home double gold and best in show at WSWA 2017