Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/471637
march 2015 / the tasting panel / 79 90 Benvenuto de la Serna 2011 Malbec, Valle de Uco, Argentina ($19) From a promising family producer in Mendoza. Ripe blackberry and plum predominate; bright and balanced with nice depth and lots of style. CANNON WINES 90 Domaine du Clos des Fées 2011 Côtes du Roussillon Villages Vieilles Vignes, France ($30) A ripe, spice-laden blend of 50% Grenache and LLadoner Pelut (a hairy-leaved Grenache variant), 35% Carignan and 15% Syrah from the domaine's oldest vines (50 to 100 years); dense and deep with balance and concentration. DOMAINE SELECT WINE ESTATES 91 Lapostolle 2011 Borobó, Chile ($85) A daring multi-variety, multi- region blend—30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Syrah, 20% Carmenère, 15% Pinot Noir and 10% Merlot—that shows bright plum, lush blueberries, soft herbs and racy acidity. TERLATO WINES 92 Crocus 2011 Malbec de Cahors Grand Vin, France ($125) Made by Paul Hobbs in collaboration with Château de Haute- Serre, this wine redefines Cahors. Smooth and rich with lush blackberry, blueberry and spice; dense, chewy and long. There is also a lovely "regular" version ($45) that I rated 90 points. PAUL HOBBS IMPORTS VALUE AND BY-THE-GLASS RECOMMENDATIONS 88 Fattoria Il Canneto 2012 Luna del Cacciatore Sangiovese di Toscana, Italy ($17) Smooth, earthy and juicy with spicy, tangy elements. Named for the "Hunter's Moon," or harvest moon, that allows nighttime hunting. WINERIES OF ITALY CONSORTIUM 87 Three Thieves 2013 Chardonnay, California ($7) Smooth and creamy with notes of vanilla and toasty oak; ripe, lush and clean. TRINCHERO FAMILY ESTATES 88 Plaimont 2010 Les Bastions, Saint Mont, France ($10) Tangy and crisp with bright acidity and racy citrus; clean and bright, juicy and long with minerals and tangy style. Made by the Plaimont co-op from Gros Manseng, Petit Courbu and Arrufiac grapes. A W DIRECT 88 Ceradello 2013 Pinot Grigio delle Venezie, Italy ($12) Fresh and juicy with tangy fruit and lively acidity; lifted and silky with balance and minerality. Organic. ARCTIC BEVERAGE 88 Buried Cane 2013 Chardonnay, Columbia Valley ($14) Fresh and silky with juicy acidity and some creamy notes; smooth, bright and pleasant with good length. 95% Chardonnay, 5% Semillon. MIDDLETON FAMILY WINES 88 Domaine Lafage 2012 Grenache Cuvée Nicolas Vieilles Vignes, Côtes Catalanes, France ($12) Juicy and lush with spice, blackberry and raspberry; fresh and dense with ripe berries and balanced flavors. EUROPEAN CELLARS 89 Trivento 2013 Amado Sur Malbec- Bonarda-Syrah, Mendoza, Argentina ($15) Generous with rich plum, raspberry and spice; dense, intense and concentrated. 70% Malbec, 20% Bonarda, 10% Syrah. EXCELSIOR WINES