The Tasting Panel magazine

December 2014

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56  /  the tasting panel  /  december 2014 BLUE REVIEWS BLUE REVIEWS WHITES 94 Dr. Loosen 2013 Riesling Spätlese Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Mosel ($34) Silky and pure with vanilla, minerals and exquisite purity; peach, citrus and elegant style. LOOSEN BROS. USA 93 Fritz Haag 2013 Riesling Spätlese Brauneberger Juffer Sonnenuhr, Mosel ($44) Silky and bright with tangy acidity and sweet peach and citrus; lovely and searing with racy style. LOOSEN BROS. USA 95 Klein Constantia 2008 Vin de Constance, Constantia ($65) Deep amber Muscat—unctuous, rich and balanced; gorgeous style with exquisite acid and structure. CAPE CLASSICS 94 Maximin Grünhäuser 2013 Riesling Spätlese Abtsberg, Mosel ($45) Silky and pure with stunning notes of fresh peach, apricot and citrus; complex, long and lovely. LOOSEN BROS. USA 95 Paul Hobbs 2012 Chardonnay, Ellen Lane Estate, Russian River Valley ($75) Silky and fresh with juicy, elegant and vivid fruit and racy acidity; lively and lifted, classic and seamless. REDS 95 Destiny Bay 2010 Magna Praemia, Waiheke Island, New Zealand ($330) A dense Bordeaux-style blend with lovely integration and finesse; elegant, rich and powerful with considerable complexity and showing great breeding. DESTINY BAY WINE IMPORTS 93 50 Harvests 2012, Napa Valley ($50) A stylish Cabernet-driven blend loaded with plum, raspberry, spice and soft vanilla oak. SCOTTO CELLARS 93 Aldegheri 2007 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Barricato, Italy ($75) Complex yet bright and delivering generous spicy- smoky tones; elegant and memorable. GUIDI MARCELLO 94 Calera 2011 Pinot Noir, Selleck Vineyard, Mr. Harlan ($84) Silky and quite lovely with racy style and great purity; refined and beautifully balanced. 93 Cardinale 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($250) A winner in a difficult year ; luscious deep cassis, black cherry and plum with vanilla-inflected oak and spice; drinkable now but showing fine aging potential. JACKSON FAMILY WNES 93 Falcone Family Vineyards 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mia's Vineyard, Paso Robles ($50) Aromatic and lush with spice, toasty oak and ripe plum and blackberry; smooth, deep and balanced with lovely flavors and a long, rich finish. 93 Massolino 2009 Barolo Parussi, Italy ($99) Vivid yet harmonious with deep plum, tar and spice; elegant, complex and graceful with excellent generosity. VINEYARD BRANDS 93 Merry Edwards 2011 Angel Wing Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley ($90) Rich, ripe black cherry, cassis and spice on a dense, meaty texture, with lovely notes of toasty oak. 93 Niner Wine Estates 2010 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles ($35) Ripe and rich with lovely structure, lush texture and warm spice; balanced, long and graceful. 93 Sea Smoke Cellars 2012 Southing Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills ($60) Silky ripe cherry and sweet oak; juicy, long and polished with tangy acidity and lovely depth. 94 Spottswoode 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena– Napa Valley ($150) Bright and juicy with graceful flavors of plum, cassis and spice; racy, structured and bracing. 93 Talley Vineyards 2012 Pinot Noir, Rosemary's Vineyard, Arroyo Grande Valley ($70) Dense and bright with earthy, juicy cherry fruit; fresh and complex with vivid fruit and style. 93 Torbreck 2009 The Descendant, Barossa Valley, Australia ($125) Velvety-smooth Shiraz with elegant blackberry, minerals and spice; intense yet balanced and precise; stunning and long. WINE CREEK IMPORTS 93 Two Sisters 2012 Pinot Noir, Lindsay's Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills ($75) Smooth and complex with elegant cherry fruit and toasty oak; mellow and bright with racy acidity and crisp style. FOLEY FAMILY WINES 94 Vilafonté 2010 Series C, Paarl, South Africa ($60) An elegant Bordeaux-style blend with plum, black raspberry, vanilla and spice; soft, lush and balanced. BROADBENT SELECTIONS Not to be Overlooked . . . These are some of the year's high-scoring wines and shouldn't be overlooked for holiday gift-giving.

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