Issue link: http://digital.copcomm.com/i/948966
12 / the tasting panel / march 2018 INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT The Cooper Spirits Co. Appoints Rick Scully as Presi- dent, Aligns with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits in 21 New Markets Rick Scully, the new President of The Cooper Spirits Company. T he Cooper Spirits Company announced the appointment of Rick Scully to President in February. With more than 25 years of experience in the bever- age industry, Scully previously worked as President of Peligroso Spirits Company. Prior to his appointment as President of The Cooper Spirits Company, he held the position of Senior Vice President of Sales. The independent spirits producer also announced an expanded alignment with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits (SGWS); the distribution rights for the Cooper Spirits portfolio will now expand to 20 new states and the District of Columbia. Southern Glazer's is now the Cooper Spirits distributor for 41 U.S. markets and Canada. We omitted the following spotlight from our 2017 Yearbook in our January- February issue. We apologize for the error. january/february 2018 / the tasting panel / 105 A number of trends and notable events affecting the wine and spirits industry unfolded in the pages of our maga- zine in 2017: New mezcal brands brought the smoky spirit to the forefront of the cocktail community, and organic and globally-sourced ingredients increasingly defined the flavors found in many of the most well-received brands. We also welcomed eight new members into the Court of Master Sommeliers as wineries throughout Napa and Sonoma proved their resilience in the wake of the devas- tating Northern California wildfires. In each January-February issue, The Tasting Panel fea- tures a Yearbook showcasing some of the wines and spirits that received scores of 92 and above throughout the previous year. This fond recollection of our 2017 makes us even more excited for the tasty tipples and sublime sips that will undoubtedly cross our paths in 2018! A E LOOKING BACK AT THE 2017 Class of 2017 4 e f MOST LIKELY TO MIND THE GAP Westwood 2015 Pinot Noir, Annadel Gap Vineyard, Sonoma County ($44) Westwood Estate Wines 2015 Legend, Annadel Gap Vineyard, Sonoma County ($44) F rom 1998 until four years ago, Westwood Estate was dedicated to the Annadel Gap Vineyard, where variegated soils produced high-quality grapes that were then sold to other wineries. But all of that changed when founder Carl Stanton joined forces with legendary winemaking consultant David Ramey and winemaker Ben Cane: Today, Westwood oversees the 37-acre Annadel Gap Vineyard from root to glass. In its pursuit of "logical farming" heavily influenced by Biodynamic practices, Westwood has placed an empha- sis on Burgundy and Rhône varieties. The winery offers a portfolio of lighter to fuller wines, including Legend, its flagship blend made from an ever-evolving composition of red grapes. Westwood 2015 Estate Pinot Noir Cherries and wild mushrooms perfume the glass. Rhubarb chimes in with a broadening of pencil shavings, which give way to deep earth with spiced basil and sweet sage. Raspberries are ashy and tobacco-drenched, and acidity leads the finish toward coffee bean and cinnamon. 94 —Meridith May Westwood Estate Wines 2015 Legend A floral perfume with accents of red plum and black pepper. The palate is a silk road of gritty chocolate tannins that leads to red plum, dark chocolate cherries, jasmine, and grilled meat with soy sauce. The finish is pleasurable with a creamy cedar note. 95 —M.M.