Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/566135
76 / the tasting panel / september 2015 DOMESTIC 91 Ehlers Estate 2014 Sauvignon Blanc, St. Helena ($28) This historic property, now French-owned, is a sleeper ; silky, juicy and bright with crisp peach and tangy citrus; fresh and long with bracing, lively style. 90 Marimar Estate 2013 Chardonnay/ Albariño, Don Miguel Vineyard, Russian River Valley ($34) A unique and interesting blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Albarino; juicy and crisp with bright acidity and spicy, floral notes. 92 DeLille Cellars 2014 Chaleur Estate, Columbia Valley ($38) An elegant white Bordeaux–style charmer from Washington State with tangy acidity and ripe peach; silky and deep with lovely balance. 75% Sauvignon Blanc, 25% Semillon. BACCHUS WINE FUND 93 Foxen Vineyard 2013 Pinot Noir, John Sebastiano Vineyard, Sta. Rita Hills ($48) Tangy black cherry and bright acidity; lively, crisp and racy with lovely style and balance.This is just one of the several excellent Foxen releases I tasted recently; see our website for the others. 92 Far Niente 2013 Estate Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($65) A classic Napa Valley Chard, crisp and juicy with depth, structure and notes of melon, pear and fig; plush, elegant and as balanced as a fine watch. 94 J. Lohr 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Carol's Vineyard, St. Helena–Napa Valley ($40) Best known for its Central Coast wines, J. Lohr wows with this velvety Napa Valley stunner ; ripe, supple plum and black raspberry; rich, generous and elegant. 20% Petit Verdot, 3% Malbec. 92 Wedell Cellars 2012 Chardonnay, Sta. Rita Hills ($70) Unfiltered and unfined, this Chard shows toasty new oak on creamy texture in a dense, rich and ripe style with tangy fruit and juicy acidity. 93 St. Innocent Winery 2012 Pinot Noir, Freedom Hill Vineyard, Willamette Valley ($42) A vivacious Pinot from a once phylloxera-ravaged vineyard replanted in 2004; racy, bright red cherry fruit and tangy style. 90 Peter Paul Wines 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon, Mt. Veeder ($60) Financial industry tycoon Peter Paul's eponmous label; ripe plum and tangy acidity from mountain fruit; earthy, balanced and long. In each issue, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dias Blue selects a wide range of the best wines and spirits from among the more than 500 he samples over the course of a month. The reviews are subjective editorial evaluations, made without regard to advertising, and products are scored on a 100-point scale: 85-89: VERY GOOD 90-94: OUTSTANDING 95-100: CLASSIC Once products are selected for publication, producers and importers will be offered the option of having their review accompanied by an image (bottle photo or label art) for a nominal fee. There is no obligation to add an image, nor does the decision affect the review or score in any way. The "twisty" icon indicates wines sealed with a screwcap closure. For additional Blue Reviews, go to www.tastingpanelmag.com. Prices are for 750 ml. bottles unless otherwise noted. Anthony Dias BLUE REVIEWS BLUE REVIEWS