Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/10329
BLUE REVIEWS VALUE AND BY-THE-GLASS RECOMMENDATIONS Chardonnay, Livermore Valley ($15) Smooth and creamy with clean flavors of oak, spice and ripe fruit; sourced from vineyards placed in a conservation trust. THE WINE GROUP 88 88 Ballatore Cellars NV Rosso Spumante, California ($10) Deep ruby color; charming cherry fruit and tangy acidity; lively sweetness on the finish. GALLO Concannon 2008 Conservancy del Jucar, Spain ($15) Lovely blackberry and racy cherry fruit; ripe, fresh and charming; 88% Tempranillo, 12% Merlot; kosher. ROYAL WINE COMPANY 88 SPIRITS I recently tasted though a number of new American craft spirits and found them so exceptional that I decided to devote this month’s reviews to them. —ADB ($28) Dark amber color; lovely licorice and spice nose; creamy texture with silky mouthfeel and beautiful licorice, anise, mint, chocolate and prune flavors: an instant classic. From Utah. OGDEN’S OWN DISTILLERY 95 ($11) Bright and juicy with silky texture and clean, black raspberry fruit; lively and balanced. 88 W. J. DEUTSCH & SONS 95 88 ($13) Silky, fresh and juicy with lovely raspberry/strawberry fruit; 50% Grenache, 50% Cinsault. JEFF WELBURN SELECTIONS 88 70 / the tasting panel / may 2010 Jargon 2008 Pinot Noir, California ($10) Bright acidity and clean cherry fruit; a lively, charming Pinot at a great price. TRINCHERO WINE ESTATES Saint Roch 2009 Côtes de Provence, France Balcones Blue Baby Corn Whiskey ($38) Made in Texas from 100% blue corn. Pale amber color; aroma of hot buttered popcorn; smooth, toasty and lush with lovely corn flavors and a long, mellow finish; distinctive and delicious. BALCONES DISTILLING The following are from the Domaine Select Classic and Vintage Artisanal Spirits Collection: creamy texture and hints of vanilla and some nice peppery spice on the long, mellow finish; a nice hit of heat on the end. From Wisconsin. 92 Death’s Door Vodka ($34) Smooth, silky with HobNob 2006 Shiraz, Vin de Pays d’Oc, France Underground Herbal Spirit Elvi Wines 2008 Ribera spicy juniper, anise, mint and vanilla; silky, intensely flavored and rich with amazing depth and lush peppery spice; amazing and unique flavors; assertive and robust— anything but subtle. 93 Death’s Door White Whisky ($34) Clear color; smooth and spiced with toasty oak notes; smooth wheat and spice with lovely smooth flavors. 91 ($50, 375 ml.) Made in New York State from corn, rye, wheat and barley; light, sweet, toasty oak nose; smooth, lush and mellow with generous orange, spice and creamy oak; sweet, toasted and rich with amazing clean and feminine flavors; elegant, fresh and seductive. 93 Completely clear; smooth and showing sweet toasted corn and mellow flavors of vanilla and spice; long, ripe and balanced with butter and creamy, lush and charming flavors. 92 Gin ($36) From Oregon. Medium amber/orange color; aroma of mint, juniper and citrus peel; silky and spiced with notes of vanilla, orange and various spices; add toastiness and 95 creamy texture; lovely and complex with depth and unique flavors. Ransom Old Tom Tuthilltown Hudson New York Corn Whiskey ($55) Tuthilltown Hudson Four Grain Bourbon Death’s Door Gin ($34) Highly aromatic and clean with