The Tasting Panel magazine

December 2011

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BLUE REVIEWS 94 Melka 2008 Métisse, Jumping Goat Vineyard, Napa Valley ($155) Dark and ripe with plum, black raspberry, cassis and velvety texture; rich, long and layered with subtle oak, stylish and lovely; wonderful now, better in a few years. 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 7% Petit Verdot. 93 93 94 Patel 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($100) Dark, ripe plum, cassis and spice with smooth vanilla oak; intense and impressive; layered and long; lay it down now and give it a few years. Piña Napa Valley 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, D'Adamo Vineyard, Napa Valley ($75) Deep black plum, cassis and cherry fruit combine with spices and sweet oak; dark and richly textured with soft tannins and good acid structure; charming and long with huge aging potential. Shafer Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, One Point Five, Stags Leap District ($70) Monumental with rich, deep flavors of spice, plum, cassis and chocolate; ripe, toasty and lush; long and stunning. 94 94 Star Lane 2006 Astral, Happy Canyon of Santa Barbara ($80) Dark, ripe and velvety with concentration, ripe blackberry, cherry, cassis and notes of chocolate and licorice; intense, smooth, lush and powerful. DIERBERG VINEYARD 50 / the tasting panel / december 2011 Silverado Vineyards 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Solo, Napa Valley, Stag's Leap District ($90) Smooth and lush with rich plum, raspberry and toasted oak; ripe and elegant with dense texture, lively structure and great balance; classic and long. 94 Seven Stones 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($175) Concentrated, rich and firmly structured with plum, cassis and minerals; intense yet graceful, with enormous aging potential; powerful and totally in balance. 95 D. R. Stephens Estate 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon, Moose Valley Vineyard, Napa Valley ($125) Dark and intense with ripe blueberry, black raspberry, cherry and spice; dense fruit, velvety texture, notes of chocolate and mocha; lush, bright and seamless; powerful yet elegant and graceful; long and complete. 92 92 91 Tudal Winery 2009 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, St. Helena ($65) Dark, dense and meaty with concentrated plum and berry fruit; smooth and rich with spice, earth and classic structure; complex, long and supple with aging potential. Whitehall Lane 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Napa Valley ($75) Dark, smooth and showing plum, cassis and spice with tangy acidity; dense and complex with lovely ripe fruit and good balance; long and rich with style and charm. Black Kite Cellars 2009 Pinot Noir, Stony Terrace, Anderson Valley ($52) Smooth and ripe with lovely black cherry and spice; densely packed and balanced with rich flavors and intensity. 92 94 Foxen Vineyard 2009 Pinot Noir, Block 8- Bien Nacido Vineyard, Santa Maria Valley ($56) Lush and rich with concentrated black cherry and spice; dense and charming with balance and depth; long and lovely. Breggo Cellars 2009 Pinot Noir, Savoy Vineyard, Anderson Valley ($55) Bright and juicy with sweet cherry and tangy acidity; nervy, fresh and lifted with classic flavors and great depth; long and very, very impressive. 92 92 91 La Follette 2009 Pinot Noir, DuNah Vineyard, Russian River Valley ($50) Silky texture and racy acidity with ripe cherry, pomegranate and hints of green, mineral and earth; complex, elegant and restrained, clean and tangy, long and pure. WINE CREEK LLC Testarossa Winery 2009 Pinot Noir, Niclaire, California ($75) Tangy and graceful with bright cherry, blueberry and spice; long, smooth and juicy with intensity and pretty flavors; long and balanced. Ridge Vineyards 2009, Lytton Springs Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley ($35) Bright, fresh and juicy with blackberry and boysenberry fruit plus lively, tangy acidity; supple, ripe and totally in balance; charming, dense and long. 71% Zinfandel, 23% Petite Sirah, 6% Carignane. 92 93 Merry Edwards 2008 Pinot Noir, Meredith Estate, Russian River Valley ($54) Smooth, dense and concentrated with lush plum and ripe cherry fruit; juicy, long and rich with depth, intensity and style; Merry works her magic; a powerhouse with lovely integration of fruit, spice and oak; impressive. Ravenswood 2008 Zinfandel, Teldeschi Vineyard, Dry Creek Valley ($35) Smooth and luscious with deep, rich black cherry and tangy black raspberry; lovely dense texture and firm acid structure; supple, bright and showing a very long finish. CONSTELLATION WINES U.S. IMPORTS 91 Wakefield Estate 2006 Shiraz, St. Andrews, Clare Valley, Australia ($50) Tangy and juicy with meaty plum and blackberry fruit; spice, minerals and firm acidity; long and balanced. AMERICAN WINE DISTRIBUTORS

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