Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/359372
august 2014 / the tasting panel / 1 1 1 A NEW RELEASE ANEW 2012 RIESLING, COLUMBIA VALLEY ($11) W ith a fresh, beautiful label, a captivating name and an aromatic, refreshing wine inside the bottle, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates' ANEW will hit it out of the park with Millennial female drinkers. A blend of 88% Riesling, 10% Gewürztraminer and 2% Muscat Canelli, this wine will not only appeal to transitional consumers, but offers an experienced palate a chance to try something "anew" from the Columbia Valley. Nearly smack dab in the middle of the dry-to- sweet scale, this Riesling is great for summer sipping but also perfect for pairing with your salmon or pasta dishes. The Sippers Say: Smells like a grassy meadow and petrol. Sweet kiwi, apricot and lychee-mango, yet still acidic. Would be great with food. —Taylor Chandler Petrol gas station nose with maybe a touch of burnt rubber—in a good way! Palate of baked apple, fresh OJ and a bit more petrol. A wonderful, if a bit young, Riesling. —Peter Kasperski Petrol, honeysuckle and wet stone, followed by sweet and weighty ripe fruit. —Andrew Fritz Grapefruit nose gives way to a bone-dry, tart green apple palate. Pear, slightly heavy sweetness and good acidity. —Jared Sowinski A SPANISH SURPRISE VIÑAS DEL VERO LA MIRANDA DE SECASTILLA 2012 GARNACHA BLANCA, SOMONTANO, SPAIN ($13) G etting its name from the River Vero and tucked into the foothills of the Pyrenees' Somontano D.O., Viñas del Vero began replanting 1,300 ancient acres in 1987, with their first modern releases reaching the market in 1990. Discovering the 100-year-old Garnacha vines at 3,000 feet in the Valle de Secastilla by accident, Viñas del Vero uses very traditional winemaking techniques to produce this great wine. Harvested by hand in late September, the 2012 Garnacha Blanc witnessed the earli- est harvest ever in Viñas del Vero's history due to limited rain and thermal stress on the vines. The Sippers Say: A golden color gives way to a popcorn/ toast/buttery nose with new oak. Oranges, nectarine, toast and butter on the palate. —Veronica Trujillo Aromas of Townhouse crackers, vanilla and oak. Pears, golden straw, honey and toast on the palate. Yummy! —Scott Yanni Brings to mind Thai food with Kaffir lime, cashews and citrus. Polished, vibrant and textural—this is a well-crafted wine. —Brent Karliceck Ernesto Trejo is the Director of Global Accounts, Southwest, for Ste. Michelle Wine Estates. Jim McGuire is Director of Sales for Vin Divino.