Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/49694
Most Pioneering Marqués de Cáceres 2008 MC, Rioja, Spain ($46) In the heartland of Rioja, tradition reigns. There, centuries of winemaking practices are as deeply-rooted as the knotty Tempranillo vines that fl ourish in the region. Bodegas Marqués de Cáceres, founded by the Forner family of Bordeaux in 1964, was the fi rst new bodega in Rioja in 50 years. Today, the operation has redefi ned winemaking in Rioja through a shorter aging process in newer barrels and relying on modern winemaking techniques with a classic emphasis. The Marqués de Cáceres 2008 MC is an ideal example of modern Rioja, made from 100% Tempranillo carefully selected and aged in new French oak for 15 months, resulting in a wine that's fruit-forward and powerful, with abundant elegance. Bright, dense and juicy Tempranillo with lovely cherry, plum and berry fruit; nicely structured and totally delicious; long and balanced. VINEYARD BRANDS Most Soulful Soul Cachaça, Brazil ($27) Brazil is famous for its gorgeous people, exotic beaches and sexy Samba, and the country's national spirit, cachaça, has been making inroads with American consumers looking to experience a taste of that beautiful Brazilian way of life. Channeling the heart of Brazil into the glass is Soul Cachaça, a traditionally- made distillate that is hand-crafted from the fi nest all-natural sugarcane using artisanal techniques dating back to the 17th century. With this process perfected, the results can't be beat. From the most delicious Caipirinhas to modern cocktails looking for a bit of soul, Soul Cachaça is elegant and modern, all at once—and don't be surprised to fi nd yourself in throes of the samba after a sip of Soul. On the nose, pungent cucumber plays with ripe honeydew amidst a mental picture of sugarcane fi eld on a hot sum- mer day. On the palate, no heat; instead, white pepper and green peppercorn against a deep core of cooked pineapple. PREMIER SPIRITS LLC Best Update Galliano Ristretto, Italy ($25) Being voted least changed at your 20 year reunion might be a compliment, but the person everyone always talks about decades later is the prom queen who just manages to get . . . more beautiful. Such is the case with Galliano Ristretto, an espresso liqueur that offers a lovely complement to the original Galliano L'Autentico recipe (a precise blend of 30 different spices and botanicals originally formulated in 1896 and named after an Italian war hero). Unlike anything else on the backbar and with more clout than any coffee liqueur, Galliano Ristretto is a star in its own right, with a bright punch of espresso fl avor thanks to the carefully selected Arabica and Robusta coffee beans that's result- ing in all-Italian craftsmanship and style. The classic Galliano bottle remains as seductively Italian as ever and the dark and mysterious liquid within promises a hint of the exotic. Arabica coffee nose with very authentic, fresh-made espresso fl avor; strong and invigorating, with a nice kick of heat at the fi nish. LUCAS BOLS USA 122 / the tasting panel / december 201 1 Bubbliest Personality Champagne Delamotte NV Brut Rosé, Champagne, France ($85–$90) In the wine world, there's really only one sipper as chipper as a cheerleader and with as much rosy-eyed merriment as the kids on Glee: champagne, the queen of all things bright and bubbly. Setting the benchmark for celebratory elegance since 1760 is Champagne Delamotte, a house whose commitment to the unique terroir of the Côte des Blancs has resulted in 250 years of exceptional wines. Delamotte's non-vintage Brut Rosé is a blend of mostly Pinot Noir from 100% Grand Cru vineyards in the Montagne de Reims area with a touch of the winery's famed Chardonnay from Le Mesnil-sur-Oger. The result is a juicy, dark pink fruit-driven offering that makes sunny afternoons warm and rosy, and makes elegant evenings sparkly and bright. Sheer, simple, sophisticated celebration in a glass. Bright salmon pink; smooth, fresh nose; mellow and silky with lovely texture and lively berry fruit; juicy and long with nice balance; a complete package. VINEYARD BRANDS