Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/49694
SONOMA-CUTRER 2006 Chardonnay, Les Pierres, Sonoma Coast BROWN-FORMAN Most Neutral TWENTY 2 VODKA, USA ($27) In the cutthroat halls of high schools all over the world, being seen as "neutral" is more likely to win wallflower status than loving accolades. But when it comes to vodka, the more neutral one is, the more closely-tied to that category's standard of perfection, for after all, any spirits buff worth his or her Boston shaker knows that the classic definition of an ideal vodka is a colorless, odorless, tasteless neutral grain spirit. Checking off all boxes in that category with style and personality plus is Twenty 2 Vodka, a Maine- produced neutral grain spirit that's made extra-neutral by micro-distilling in 50-gallon batches (as opposed to larger, industrial-grade distillation batches that yield less control over quality), then chill-filtered through charcoal. Proving that its commitment to perfection is anything but neutral, Twenty 2 vodka also undergoes a series of rigorous blind tastings before batches are approved to be bottled, and from there, mixologists and consumers have found their perfect blank canvas. This is a spirit that just begs to masquerade in every sort of cocktail, and from clas- sic Moscow Mules to modern takes on the Martini, Twenty 2's winning over palates, one neutrality at a time. Smooth and neutral aroma; suave, dense and extremely clean with soft vanilla- influenced flavors and just a hint of pepper; sleek, subtle and elegant. NORTHERN MAINE DISTILLING COMPANY SPICE ROUTE 2009 Chakalaka, Swartland, South Africa VINEYARD BRANDS SPRING VALLEY Vineyards 2008 "Uriah," Walla Walla Valley STE. MICHELLE WINE ESTATES STAR LANE 2007 Merlot, Santa Ynez Valley DIERBERG VINEYARD STEELE WINES 2008 Writer's Block Syrah, Lake County STOLLER VINEYARDS 2008 Chardonnay, SV Estate, Dundee Hills STONESTREET 2007 Merlot, Lost Pine, Alexander Valley JACKSON FAMILY WINES STONYRIDGE 2008 Pilgrim, Waiheke Island, New Zealand GOLDEN STATE WINE CO. TAITTINGER NV Brut Rosé Prestige, Champagne, France KOBRAND CORP. TARRAS VINEYARDS 2009 The Steppes Pinot Noir, Central Otago USA Wine West TENUTA CAPARZO 2006 Ca' de Pazzo, Toscana, Italy VINEYARD BRANDS TESTAROSSA VINEYARDS 2009 Chardonnay, Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley THREE RIVERS WINERY 2007 Malbec, Columbia Valley FOLEY FAMILY WINES TITUS VINEYARDS 2009 Zinfandel, Napa Valley TOBIN JAMES 2007 James Gang Reserve Refosco, Paso Robles TRINCHERO 2008 Merlot, Chicken Ranch Vineyards, Rutherford TFE WINES TRUETT-HURST 2009 Petite Sirah "Burning Man," Dry Creek Valley TWOMEY CELLARS 2006 Merlot, Napa Valley TWOMEY CELLARS 2009 Pinot Noir, Anderson Valley VILLA MARIA 2010 Sauvignon Blanc, Cellar Selection, Marlborough, New Zealand STE. MICHELLE WINE ESTATES VILLA SAN-JULIETTE 2008 Merlot, Paso Robles VOSS VINEYARDS 2009, Sauvingnon Blanc, Rutherford NEGOCIANTS USA WHITE ROCK VINEYARDS 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon, Laureate, Napa Valley WHITEHALL LANE 2008 Merlot, Napa Valley WILLIAMS SELYEM 2009 Late Harvest Gewürztraminer, San Benito County WIND RACER 2007 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ZACA MESA 2007 Syrah "Black Bear Block," Santa Ynez Valley SPIRITS 123 (Uno Dos Tres) Tequila, Mexico 123 SPIRITS 4 ORANGE Orange-Flavored Vodka , USA IMPERIAL BRANDS 8 SECONDS Canadian Whiskey, Canada FRANK-LIN DISTILLERS ABSOLUT San Francisco Vodka, Sweden PERNOD RICARD USA ALDERETE Silver Tequila, Mexico TEQUILA ALDARETE AMARO Montenegro, Italy VIAS IMPORTS AMBHAR Reposado Special Reserve Tequila, Mexico SANTO SPIRITS AMERICAN HARVEST Organic Spirit, USA SIDNEY FRANK IMPORTING ARROGANTE Anejo Tequila, Mexico DOUBLE EAGLE IMPORTS 116 / the tasting panel / december 201 1