Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1013885
76 / the tasting panel / august 2018 DOMESTIC 93 Testarossa Winery 2016 Fogstone Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands ($51) Juicy and crisp with racy acidity and tangy style; a balanced and ultra-smooth wine from a vineyard on the northern end of the region with rocky loam soils. 91 Baileyana 2016 Firepeak Chardonnay, Paragon Vineyard, Edna Valley ($28) Silky and bright with vibrant acidity and notes of pear and toast; fresh and long from an SIP Certified Sustainable vineyard. 95 Ledson Winery & Vineyards 2015 Alexander Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Sonoma Valley ($110) Lovely, rich, and elegant with blackberry, spice, and toast; one of Sonoma's finest, it's ready now but worth a few years of cellaring; complex and long with considerable finesse. 92 Silver Wines 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Barbara ($45) Ripe with luscious plum notes and a creamy texture; rich and nicely structured; deep, mellow, and balanced. 92 Ponzi Vineyards 2015 Classico Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley ($43) Crisp and tangy with sweet cherry and spice; a balanced and long blend of grapes from 11 vineyards throughout Willamette Valley; another winner from one of Oregon's mainstays. VINTUS WINES 92 Bonny Doon Vineyard 2016 Vin Gris de Cigare Réserve, Central Coast ($35) Smooth and mellow; light salmon pink and dry; lush, deep, and balanced with an underlying core of crisp acidity; 50% Grenache, 15% Grenache Blanc, 12% Cinsaut, 12% Mourvèdre, 8% Carignan, and 3% Roussanne. In each issue, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dias Blue selects a wide range of the best wines and spirits from among the more than 500 he samples over the course of a month. The reviews are subjective editorial evaluations, made without regard to advertising, and products are scored on a 100-point scale: 85-89: VERY GOOD 90-94: OUTSTANDING 95-100: CLASSIC Once products are selected for publication, producers and importers will be offered the option of having their review accompanied by an image (bottle photo or label art) for a nominal fee. There is no obligation to add an image, nor does the decision affect the review or score in any way. The "twisty" icon indicates wines sealed with a screwcap closure. For additional Blue Reviews, go to www.bluelifestyle.com. Prices are for 750 ml. bottles unless otherwise noted. Anthony Dias BLUE REVIEWS Presented by