Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/597666
november 2015 / the tasting panel / 81 Gehricke 2013 Zinfandel, Sonoma Valley ($30) Violets are elegant on the nose and a surprise of vanilla mint eeks through just before you taste a rustic bramble of cherry and blueberry. Dried plums and chocolate tannins offer a firmness while creamy blueberry licorice softens the texture (the wine is aged 18 months in French oak). Reminiscent of a fine Italian red, perhaps with a richer and riper attitude. 93 THE OTHER GUYS Gehricke 2014 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County ($30) Honey- chamomile is a soothing scent and mellows into the anise and soft wheat toast on the palate. A succulent body of white flowers blooms in mid-taste, while apple-caramel pastry on the finish is charming. An added hint of stoniness lends another dimension. 93 THE OTHER GUYS Matchbook 2012 Tinto Rey, Dunnigan Hills ($17) A juicy flood of earth-to-cherry graphite. The strawberry-cinnamon- cherry fruit keeps whetting the palate with Old World acidity and a velvet sleekness. The cherry-chocolate finish is worth the ride for this blend of 50% Tempranillo, 27% Syrah, 11% Petit Verdot, 8% Graciano and 4% Tannat. GREAT VALUE SCORE: 90 MATCHBOOK WINE COMPANY Matchbook 2012 Tinto Rey, Dunnigan Hills ($17) flood of earth-to-cherry graphite. The strawberry-cinnamon-