The Tasting Panel magazine

May 2015

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76  /  the tasting panel  /  may 2015 PICKS In each issue THE TASTING PANEL's Publisher and Editorial Director, Meridith May, selects her favorite wines and spirits of the month. Check here for the latest arrivals in our offices, the hottest new brands on the market and an occasional revisited classic. Worthy of a smooch. French-style double bizou. Wildly infatuated. Seriously smitten. Head over heels in love. Publisher's WINES Sculpterra Estate 2012 Mourvèdre, Paso Robles ($36) The Frankel Family ages this deep, earthy red in 500-liter barrels for seven months. Spiced, brandied cherries are fleshy and a rhubarb pie with teeth- coating, raspberry-infused tea tannins are a highlight. 90 Oyster Bay 2013 Pinot Noir, Marlborough, New Zealand ($18) Cool-climate viticulture in Marlborough shows off a bright, feminine nature in this delicately balanced Pinot Noir. The acidity creates a freshness that readies the palate with each sip: a cranberry-mineral graceful- ness. This wine received a Gold Medal at the San Francisco International Wine Competition and we are in concurrence with its honor. 91 OYSTER BAY WINES Levendi 2008 Syrah, Stagecoach Vineyard, Napa Valley ($40) Mountain brush and a handful of red, rocky soil are prevalent in this big, broad red. Sage, fennel, dark chocolate and dust line the deeply rooted blackberry and black plum compote. Bright acidity keeps it fresh and a puff of smoke keeps it mysterious. 92 A Trio of Beauties from the Folks at The Other Guys We tasted with Sonoma-based wine company The Other Guys and delighted in these three: Plungerhead 2013 Old Vine Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley ($18) Fragrant floral and berry notes fol- lowed by pretty violet and black cherry flavors, dotted with black pepper and earth. Great acidity showcases the rich, ripe, aromatic fruit and upheaves the structure as well as a tight fitting corset: sexy and alluring. 91 Gehricke 2013 Pinot Noir, Los Carneros ($40) Staring into a deep well of purple-red, the nose conjures up plum and smoky coffee notes and dives down into a chocolate raspberry, tarragon-plum center. Salinity on mid-palate spices the dense and concentrated blueberry and wild cherry that almost sweetens the tongue with vanilla on the finish. 91 Gehricke 2013 Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley ($45) A shining light of bright crimson fills the glass, and the nose is greeted with Asian spice and summer cherries. High acidity and a satin slip- periness offers a luxurious texture to this Burgundian-style sophisticate. Just a hint of cola, and more than a hint of raspberry, meld with a lovely caramel oak on the finish; a scent that lingers on the nose. 92 ALC. 14.5% BY VOL. 750 ML CONTAINS SULFITES GOVERNMENT WARNING: (1) ACCORDING TO THE SURGEON GENERAL, WOMEN SHOULD NOT DRINK ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES DURING PREGNANCY BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF BIRTH DEFECTS. (2) CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES IMPAIRS YOUR ABILITY TO DRIVE A CAR OR OPERATE MACHINERY, AND MAY CAUSE HEALTH PROBLEMS. )JEHBD|00228Q B E R G I N G L A S S I M P R E S S I O N S SCREENPRINT COLORS ART #14774 PROJECT #13958 CLIENT: LEVENDI, LLC COLORS: PURPLE/PRECIOUS GOLD/METALLIC GOLD 5.20.2010 NOTE: 750ML ART FOR YOUR RECORDS ONLY - NO NEED TO FAX BACK Grown on the bright red and rocky slopes of the Stagecoach Vineyard in optimal conditions, the fruit in this Syrah evolved perfectly on the vine and is pure splendor. Refined and robust, this is a serious vintage with classic mountain tannins, deep dark color, and brooding aroma of foggy mountain sage, black licorice, and dense currant. Built for momentum rather than speed, and backed by the flavors of dark fruit, smoke, and beautifully balanced oak, patience will be rewarded with an increasingly silky finish. Yasou Levendi! L E V E N D I S Y R A H N A P A V A L L E Y 2008 S T A G E C O A C H V I N E Y A R D PRODUCED AND BOTTLED BY LEVENDI WINERY, NAPA, CA WWW.LEVENDIWINERY.COM 877-LEVENDI (877) 538 - 3634 SYRAH N A P A V A L L E Y 2008 L E V E N D I

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