Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/869846
70 / the tasting panel / september 2017 IMPORTS 92 Cave Spring Cellars 2015 Estate Riesling, VQA Beamsville Bench, Canada ($18) A delicate, ripe Riesling from Canada with lovely lush texture; dry, rich and long with balance and luscious fruit; precise and delicate. 92 Whitehaven 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($20) Bright grapefruit nose; juicy and crisp with clean, tangy, fresh style; a classic Kiwi Sauvignon—lively, racy and balanced; clean and exact. E. & J. GALLO 90 Alois Lageder 2015 Porer Pinot Grigio, Alto Adige DOC, Italy ($25) From the mountainous South Tyrol province in northern Italy, with a deep golden color ; silky, ripe and dense; dry and balanced with rich texture and depth. Biodynamic. DALLA TERRA 90 Bodegas Muriel 2011 Rioja Reserva, Spain ($20) Silken with notes of plum and earth from a winery founded in 1926 in the heart of the Rioja Alavesa winemaking region; fresh but mature; complex. QUINTESSENTIAL WINES 92 Ruffino 2013 Chianti Classico Riserva Ducale DOCG, Italy ($25) Pale ruby color ; lively and juicy with tangy berry fruit and notes of earth and spice; bright and showing depth and finesse; stylish and balanced, elegant. CONSTELLATION WINES U.S. 92 VIK 2011 Cachapoal Valley Red, Chile ($140) From an upscale Millahue Valley winery named for its Norwegian founder ; smoky, green herbs in the nose; smooth and soft; dense and rich; ripe plum and spice; nuanced. MHW, LTD . SPIRITS 92 Eastside Distilling Portland Potato Vodka, USA ($17) From a member of Portland's Distillery Row; notes of silky vanilla and earthiness; clean, mellow and balanced; long and creamy. 92 Alacrán Cristal Añejo Tequila, Mexico ($50) Spanish for "authentic scorpion" and distilled in Jalisco; soft agave nose; clear with a good earthy component; dry, supple and bright with a long finish. DOZORTSEV & SONS ENTERPRISES, LTD. 93 Destillaré Intense Orange Curaçao, USA ($35) Pale amber color ; smooth and tangy with lovely authentic orange flavors; sweet but not cloying; with a base of copper- pot-distilled apple brandy; elegant and exquisite. COPPER & KINGS 92 TX Texas Straight Bourbon Whiskey, USA ($50) Medium amber color ; lush floral nose; silky texture and notes of earth, spice and caramel; elegant and showing considerable finesse; deep fruit and spice. FIRESTONE & ROBERTSON DISTILLING CO. 92 Brothership Irish-American Blended Whiskey Aged 10 Years, USA ($50) Pale amber made in the style of a fine Irish whiskey; fragrant oak and smooth texture; mellow and toasty with dense grain and graceful finish; fresh and long. CONNACHT WHISKEY COMPANY 91 Mezcales de Leyenda Puebla Mezcal 100% Agave, Mexico ($85) Smooth and lush with rich, toasted vanilla flavors harvested from the largest field of sustainably cultivated maguey tobalá in Mexico; unusual, spicy and balanced. M.S. WALKER 97 Kavalan Amontillado Sherry Single Cask Strength Single Malt Whiskey, Taiwan ($599) Deep caramel color with smooth sherry nose; rich texture and flavors; toasted, spicy and complex with layers of intensity. ANCHOR DISTILLING COMPANY BLUE REVIEWS