Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/14611
BLUE REVIEWS Jester, McLaren Vale, Australia ($28) A dense, concentrated wine made by drying a portion of the grapes before pressing; silky, rich and intensely flavored with plum, cassis and pomegranate; delicious. 90 VINTUS VALUE AND BY-THE-GLASS RECOMMENDATIONS 88 Teruzzi & Puthod 2009 Vernaccia di San Gimignano Rondolino, Italy ($12) Lovely, delicate flavors of citrus and floral notes; snappy and fresh, long and balanced. PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL Frascati Superiore, Italy ($10) Fresh, juicy and dry with tangy fruit and lifted acidity; a summer wine par excellence. BANFI VINTNERS 88 Fontana Candida 2008 Mitolo Wines 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon, Central Valley, Chile ($12/liter) A crisp, fresh, herbal and bright certified organic wine sold in a one- liter TetraPak; lively, long and balanced. 88 Elevation, Martinborough, New Zealand ($14) Bright, juicy and tangy with racy lime and peach fruit; lovely balance, silky texture, vibrant and stylish. 90 Oregon ($12) Spritzy and bright with juicy fruit and lively acidity; tangy, fresh, clean and totally charming. 89 Réserve, France ($12) A smooth and spicy red Loire with ripe plum and good length; a lovely expression of Cabernet Franc. 89 Wine, Columbia Valley ($13) Smooth and bright with fresh red fruits and soft herbs; lots of charm and good length. 88 88 Sauvignon, Reserva, Maule Valley, Chile ($10) Fresh, bright and tangy with racy plum and raspberry fruit; juicy, crisp and showing light herbs and lively acidity. JACKSON FAMILY WINES 88 58 / the tasting panel / august 2010 Goats do Roam 2008 Red, South Africa ($8) A fresh and smooth Rhône blend with juicy berry fruit and lots of lift; juicy, lively and nervy. VINEYARD BRANDS Calina 2009 Cabernet Dry Creek Valley ($15) Smooth and clean with spice and ripe black raspberry fruit; ripe and balanced with a long finish. 88 Hangar One Vodka, USA ($35) Smooth and showing some nice vanilla notes and creamy texture; mellow, lush and silky, with some heat on the finish. SPIRITS 92 CRAFT DISTILLERS PRECEPT BRANDS Pedroncelli Winery 2008 Zinfandel, Mother Clone, CANON DE COLORADO Magnificent Wine Company 2007 House Château du Petit Thouars 2006 Touraine ($31) Spicy yet lush, with silky texture and a hint of sweetness; elegant with lovely depth and floral notes; aromatic, stylish and dense. PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL 91 and sweet with mellow, toasted toffee flavors and tones of vanilla and honey. HECK ESTATES 88 Grande Champagne Cognac, France ($105) Fragrant and aromatic; toasty and ripe with dried fruit and lovely floral notes; vanilla, elegant, 93 feminine and creamy with sweet oak and lovely mellow, luxuriant flavors; complex and very pretty. PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL I Frapin Château Fontpinot XO Korbel Brandy ($12) Smooth KOBRAND King Estate Winery 2009 Acrobat Pinot Gris, Wild Rock 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Yellow + Blue 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Tequila, 91 Mexico ($50) Fresh, clean agave nose; silky and smooth with elegant agave and spice; long and clean with a refined finish; a soft sweetness in the background with very lovely flavors; balanced and classy. WILLIAM RYAN SELECT, LTD. USA ($33) Honey and caramel nose; spicy with notes of maple cream and smoke with dried fruits, hickory and lush texture; mellow, sensual and seamless with a long, rich finish. BEAM GLOBAL SPIRITS & WINE 94 Alexander Grappa, Italy Maker’s 46 Bourbon, Aha Toro Reposado