Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/39104
Publisher’s In each issue THE TASTING PANEL’s Publisher and Executive Editor, Meridith May, selects her favorite wines and spirits of the month. Check here for the latest arrivals in our offi ces, the hottest new brands on the market and an occasional revisited classic. WINES Field Stone Winery 2007 Petite Sirah, Staten Family Reserve, Alexander Valley ($35) From century-old vines, this estate bottled, crimson- rimmed inky red plays the fi gs and bittersweet chocolate card on the nose. But taste the grittiness and surprisingly reserved tannins (albeit brambly and chalky) threaded with blackberry and tongue-coating anise, black olive and tobacco. Wow! 92 Meridith May with Nicole Quandt, Director of Marketing for Wente Vineyards, which hosted our Wine Country Somms awards, to be featured in the September issue. Soléna Estates 2009 Pinot Noir, Hyland Vineyard, McMinnville ($50) Organically planted on the foothills of a coastal range, this red expresses itself with extroverted splashes of roses and coffee latte, an intriguing combination with its generous red fruit and lush tannins. 94 Worthy of a smooch. French-style double bizou. Wildly infatuated. Seriously smitten. Head over heels in love. 64 / the tasting panel / august 201 1 Villa San-Juliette 2008 Merlot, Paso Robles ($17) Balance and body defi ne this Paso Robles red. Lavender and blank-inked berries, steeped in black tea link to a plummy fruit/bittersweet chocolate core. Dazzling. 92 Spring Valley Vineyard 2008 Uriah, Walla Walla ($50) Rich and enticing, with streams of plums and gorgeous violet-accented blueberries. The tannins are gabbers, but gently let go in the fi nale of the experience. Merlot and Cabernet Franc. 95 STE. MICHELLE WINE ESTATES PICKS Hahn SLH Estate 2009 Chardonnay, Santa Lucia Highlands ($25) A nutty Chardonnay can be a great thing: almond and sunfl ower seeds on the nose. A melt- ing, creamy dreaminess texture of brown sugar and lemon custard adds more depth. Sure, the fruit is there, but that white tea and orange blossom fi nish stimulated my senses. 90 HAHN FAMILY WINES Kelly Fleming 2009 Sauvignon Blanc, Oakville – Napa Valley ($30) Exotic top fruit and a squeeze of lime with a creamy but not viscous body that stays a long while. Cakey/marzipan is a nice fi nish. 93 SPIRITS Spring44 Honey Vodka USA ($25) A whiff of creamy caffe latte makes for a palatable nose, but the fl avor leaps onto your tongue—maybe more vanilla than mocha java. The slight upfront burn soon dissipates to an eventful fi nish of blue fl owers and spice honey. 91 SPRING44 DISITLLING Arrogante Reposado Tequila, Mexico ($47) A botanical fi r-tree and green-tea nose leads to clove, ginger and peppered mandarin orange on the palate. The lingering fi nish seals the deal on this unique and edgy newcomer. 92 DOUBLE EAGLE IMPORTS PHOTO: JOHN CURLEY