Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/359372
august 2014 / the tasting panel / 109 MORE THAN KOSHER BARON HERZOG 2013 SAUVIGNON BLANC, CLARKSBURG ($11) L ocated about 30 minutes north of Los Angeles in Oxnard, CA, Herzog Wine Cellars produces excellent wines using grapes chosen from California's best appellations. Winemaker Joe Hurliman blends his masterpieces while stay- ing true to the nine-generation Herzog legacy dedicated to quality and distinction. This kosher wine exhibits ideal characteristics of grapes grown in the cool Central Coast. Sticking mostly to cool fermenting in stainless steel, Hurliman chooses to put away 20% in New French Oak for three months prior to bottling. The Sippers Say: Apple fruit notes with white flowers; clear and bright aromas. Nice mid-palate texture, with great minerality. —Brent Karliceck Wet, grassy, with a slight green hue. The nose has fruit, but I get more acidity rather then fruit on the palate. Almost toasty. —Taylor Chandler Light straw color with medium alcohol, nice mineralirty and good acidity. — Christopher Gross A BIENNIAL BLEND CHIMNEY ROCK 2012 ELEVAGE BLANC, NAPA VALLEY ($30) C himney Rock started as an effort of love between Hack and Stella Wilson in the 1980s. As their vines grew, so did their planting area, rising from 59 acres in the 1990s to 119 acres in 2001. Under sole Terlato family ownership since 2004, Chimney Rock has garnered an international prestige for producing some of California's greatest estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Produced every other year since 2004, the Elevage Blanc is a proprietary blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Sauvignon Gris. The 2012, which contains 80% and 20% respectively, shows impressive age-ability and body. The Sippers Say: Straw, clear color, with a tropical fruit, mineral-spice nose. A great, long finish and mouthfeel. —Christopher Gross Aromas of lemon olive oil and great viscosity on palate. Nice acid on the back palate, grilled vegetables coming through! —Scott Yanni On the nose, dense/warm weather with butterscotch and toast. Caramel and light acidity on the palate. —Veronica Trujillo Holly Simon is a Marketing Manager for Herzog Wine Cellars. Roman Kettler, CS, is an On-Premise Wine Manager at Southern Wine & Spirits of Arizona and pre- sented the Chimney Rock release.