Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/391612
76 / the tasting panel / october 2014 DOMESTIC 90 Hungry Blonde 2012 Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($30) Silky and juicy with pure, bright fruit and elegant style; fresh, lively and balanced; long and lovely. DAVIS ESTATES 92 Sonoma-Loeb 2012 Envoy Chardonnay, Carneros ($38) Lush and deep with creamy texture, vanilla oak and ripe fruit; balanced, long and rich. 90 Blair Estate 2012 Pinot Gris, Meador Estate, Arroyo Seco ($28) Alive with tangy acidity and bright apple fruit; crisp and racy with impressive style and balance; long and lively, an impressive take on this underachieving variety. 91 Tablas Creek 2012 Esprit Blanc de Tablas, Paso Robles ($45) Rich, minerally style and crisp, racy, nicely balanced flavors; complex and layered; long and idiosyncratic. 75% Roussanne, 20% Grenache Blanc, 5% Picpoul Blanc. VINEYARD BRANDS 93 Talley Vineyards 2012 Chardonnay, Rincon Vineyard, Arroyo Grande Valley ($44) Fresh, elegant and precise with bracing acidity and lovely Burgundian style; racy and minerally with finesse and vivid style. 92 Browne Family Vineyards 2011 Merlot, Columbia Valley ($37) Suave and dense with ripe plum and sweet oak; juicy, fresh and balanced with great depth and style. 95% Merlot, 5% Petit Verdot. 93 J. Lohr 2010 Cuvée PAU, Paso Robles ($50) J. Lohr's take on a Paulliac from Paso; bright cherry and plum; rich, spicy and dense with velvety texture and a long, ripe finish. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 10% Malbec, 10% Petit Verdot. 91 Virage 2010 Napa Valley ($54) Ripe plum, blackberry and cassis; lush with spice and subtle oak; elegant and balanced with lively fruit and excellent depth; long and lovely. 56% Cabernet Franc, 42% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Sauvignon. In each issue, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dias Blue selects a wide range of the best wines and spirits from among the more than 500 he samples over the course of a month. The reviews are subjective editorial evaluations, made without regard to advertising, and products are scored on a 100-point scale: 85-89: VERY GOOD 90-94: OUTSTANDING 95-100: CLASSIC Once products are selected for publication, producers and importers will be offered the option of having their review accompanied by an image (bottle photo or label art) for a nominal fee. There is no obligation to add an image, nor does the decision affect the review or score in any way. The "twisty" icon indicates wines sealed with a screwcap closure. For additional Blue Reviews, go to www.tastingpanelmag.com. Prices are for 750 ml. bottles unless otherwise noted. Anthony Dias BLUE REVIEWS BLUE REVIEWS