The Tasting Panel magazine

November 2015

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82  /  the tasting panel  /  november 2015 Falcone Family Vineyard 2013 Syrah, Paso Robles ($30) Grapes grown at 1,250-foot-elevation vineyards in Paso's Creston District make for extremely defined notes of blackberry in melted chocolate. Aromatics of jasmine, black cherry, cranberry and brandied anise mirror on the palate. Buoyant and bountiful—sumptuous. Aged 15 months in barrel (36% new) and unfiltered with 6% Petite Sirah blended in. 93 One Red Wine 2011 "One," Destiny Ridge Vineyards, Horse Heaven Hills, Washington ($40) A luxuriously textured treat. Anise and dark chocolate mingle with rasp- berry in delicate oak that is subtly spiced with tobacco and soil. This Bordeaux blend of 62% Cabernet Sauvignon, 18% Merlot, 12% Malbec 5% Cab Franc and 3% Petit Verdot offers such balance in acid, it validates the black fruit and savory (olive and mountain brush)with finesse. 91 Tolosa Winery 2012 Estate Syrah, Edna Valley ($32) Plums and blueberry pepper on the nose lead to a plushly textured and streamlined red, grown on Tolosa's Central Coast solar estate. Coffee tannins are round and smooth, bittersweet dark chocolate mingles with brooding dark fruit. A touch of rustic gaminess and leather is the link to earth and nature. 12% Petite Sirah and 3% Viognier. 92 Castrucci 2013 Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($32) Chamomile and fresh white flowers on the nose are light and lilting while the honey and lemon oil actually cut more of an edginess on the palate. An oiliness mid-way works in play with the acidity and results in a superb food wine. 92 Rarecat 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Old Toll Hillside Vineyard, Calistoga ($100) Violets and licorice burst into a fit of dark fudge. Blackberry is creamy and rushes the mouth in a plush, silky flow. This gallant wine finishes with peppered tobacco and fine acidity follows its earthy path. 93 SPIRITS Wyborowa Wódka, Poland ($16) Nicknamed "Wybo" by its fans, this vodka was first cre- ated in 1927 and has received more than 20 international awards throughout the years. Its delicate entry speaks of vanilla beans and white pepper. A warmth of bread dough permeates the palate and leads to a mellow, earthy finish. GREAT VALUE SCORE: 91 CRILLON IMPORTERS, LTD. Don Q Pasión, Puerto Rico ($15) Passion fruit's starring role in this 60-proofer is a delectable per- formance. Don Q's exceptional Puerto Rican rum serves as a masterful character actor, but it's a toss-up who steals the show, because the liquid is so well balanced. The oils from the fruit and the passion flower elements combine beautifully for aromatics, taste and texture. 90 SERRALLÉS USA Corbin Cash Barrel Reserve Sweet Potato Liqueur, USA ($38) Distilled from estate-grown sweet potatoes, aged in oak for up to four years and then flavored with brown sugar and winter seasonal spices, this sensational 70-proof sipper tastes like the holidays. Rich, robust and generous on the palate, cinnamon cream, clove and maple syrup give the authentic 100% based sweet potato flavor an extra oomph. Corbin Cash is the newest creation of Sweet Potato Spirits, a distillery in Atwater, in California's Central Valley, founded by fourth-generation sweet potato farmer David Souza. 93 SWEET POTATO SPIRITS Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon, USA ($53) As soon as we received our 2015 release of one of our top fave bourbons, we knew we were in for something special. The 91.4-proof whiskey is made by taking Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon and then aging it longer in a second, custom-made barrel, assembled from 18-month air-dried wood and toasted (not charred). The resulting amber liquid is bold and spreads a wave of melted toffee, Indian curry, mocha, leather and rancio across the palate. 97 MICHTER'S DISTILLERY Amur Leopard Vodka, Russia ($25) Soft and gentle on the nose, with notes of grain and lemon blossom, this 80-proof vodka from the Amur River Basin in the Russian Far East has natural flavors of oats and honey infused into the distillate. The Amur leopard is one of the most critically endangered animals on Earth and the vodka brand donates part of its profits from its sales to various conservation programs. On the palate, the feline is both graceful and powerful, with hints of anise and pepper alongside its sweet vanilla sleekness. 92 PACIFIC EDGE WINE & SPIRITS PUBLISHER'S PICKS Creston District make for extremely defined notes of blackberry in melted chocolate. Aromatics of jasmine, black cherry, cranberry and brandied anise mirror on the palate. Buoyant and bountiful—sumptuous. Aged 15 months in barrel (36% new) and unfiltered Rarecat 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon, Vineyard, Calistoga ($100) Violets and licorice burst into a fit of dark fudge. Blackberry is creamy and rushes the mouth in a plush, silky flow. This gallant wine finishes with peppered tobacco and fine acidity follows its earthy path. 93 Michter's US*1 Toasted Barrel Finish Bourbon, USA ($53) As soon as we received our 2015 release of one of our top fave bourbons, we knew we were in for something special. The 91.4-proof whiskey is made by taking Michter's US*1 Kentucky Straight Bourbon and then aging it longer in a second, custom-made barrel, assembled from 18-month air-dried wood and toasted (not charred). The resulting Nicknamed "Wybo" by its Russia ($25) of grain and lemon blossom, this 80-proof

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