The Tasting Panel magazine

October 2014

Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/391612

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 76 of 132

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

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Tasting Panel magazine - October 2014