Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/46939
COVERING THE BASES: The Hess Collection Winery From the Hess Veeder Hills Vineyard, the Hess Collection 2007 Mount Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley (SRP $48) blends in 10% Malbec and 7% Merlot to round the bases on the palate. The addition of the Malbec lends notes of dark chocolate and boysenberry and a heightened intensity to the fruit. Donald Hess put millions of dollars into his Mount Veeder project, including site-specific viticul- ture programs and environmentally friendly initiatives to stay at the forefront of sustainable vineyard practices. The Call: "Mount Veeder soils are so unique—the vines are stressed and deliver such tiny berries," offers Jonathan Mitchell. "And from this high elevation fruit, I am tasting sage, basil and other fresh herbs." Ariana Armstrong senses "smoked meat and cassis and sturdy tannins" from this wine aged 18 months in French oak. Anthony Dias Blue score: 91 IN THE WHEELHOUSE: Thacher Winery Since 2004, Thacher Winery has been hand crafting wines from dry-farmed, head- trained vineyards found on the Westside of Paso Robles and in Southern Monterey County. Their boutique production of Rhône varieties and Zinfandel wowed us in the Thacher 2008 Controlled Chaos (SRP $35), a hard-hitting blend of 42% Mourvèdre, 37% Zinfandel and 21% Grenache. The Call: This Gold Medal winner from this year's San Francisco International Wine Competition is a surly red, according to Rachel Bryan. "The Central Coast works its magic with Rhône reds," she says. "The Mourvèdre exhibits structure, and the Zin is generous with its extracted, jammy blackberry and pepper." Anthony Dias Blue score: 90 FOUR-BAGGER: Bernardus Winery The goal at Bernardus Winery is to create wines that flatter the palate—even the roughest b-baller out there would fall for their Central Coast charm. The Bernardus 2007 Marinus (SRP $30) is a proprietary blend named for an estate vineyard; the Bordeaux varieties comprising this Bernardus at-bat MVP come from the highest elevation in the warm, enchanting Carmel Valley in Monterey County. The Call: "An excellent value," the panel unanimously agreed. "Full, rich and restrained," says Chris Miller. "Elegant with red fruit up front and deeper blue notes in the middle," adds Talia Tinari. Anthony Dias Blue score: 90 102 / the tasting panel / november 201 1