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92 / the tasting panel / march 2016 WINES Leese-Fitch 2014 Chardonnay, California ($12.99) From its pretty lemon verbena, lemongrass and lemon custard nose to its follow-up to its perfume in a poised flavor profile, this mineral-driven dry white shows itself crisply and clearly. As lean and modern as it is, it is able to maintain a richness within. Impressive. 90 3 BADGE ENOLOGY White Knight 2014 Viognier, Clarksburg ($12.99) The delicately perfumed nose is reminiscent of a handmade French soap: vanilla and lavender. The peach and pear nectar has a lilting quality and ramps up to richness with hints of lanolin. White sage and honeysuckle gild the finish. 90 3 BADGE ENOLOGY Olivier Leflaive 2014 "Les Sétilles," Grand Vin de Bourgogne, France ($28) Sourced from vineyards in Puligny-Montrachet, this superb white Burgundy has grace and charm and other bells and whistles from ripe pear, Gala apple and searing acidity hinged on a belt of freshly squeezed citrus. 91 FREDERICK WILDMAN & SON Balverne 2013 Estate Grown Unoaked Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($24.99) Produced and bottled by Windsor Oaks Vineyards, the pineapple upside- down cake and sweet chamomile tea are lures to tempt you into the glass. Crisp, dry celery and lime notes are elegant and graceful while mid-palate the slightly stone-mineral and just ripened peach is arousing with its slightly oily nature. The finish settles into pear semi-tar tness. This is a wow wine, modern and edgy. 92 WINDSOR OAKS VINEYARDS 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 Ménage à Trois 2014 "Silk" Red Blend, California ($12) While the gossamer texture is sensually appealing, and the tannins refined and graceful, the flavor profile of this blend of Pinot Noir, Malbec and Syrah is not the feminine creature one may imagine. On the nose, heady fragrance of freshly ground espresso beans and a meaty richness occurs. Sweet Bing cherries surface in a bath of melted chocolate. The result is an orchestration of good will to the palate. 90 TFE WINES Best Value of the Month Leese-Fitch 2014 Chardonnay, From its pretty lemon verbena, lemongrass and lemon custard nose to its follow-up to its perfume in a poised flavor profile, this mineral-driven dry white shows itself crisply and clearly. As lean and modern as it is, it is able to maintain a richness within. Impressive. 90 3 BADGE ENOLOGY Balverne 2013 Estate Grown Unoaked Chardonnay, River Valley ($24.99) and bottled by Windsor Oaks Vineyards, the pineapple upside- down cake and sweet chamomile tea are lures to tempt you into the glass. Crisp, dry celery and lime notes are elegant and graceful while mid-palate the slightly stone-mineral and just ripened peach is arousing with its slightly oily nature. The finish settles into pear semi-tar tness. This is a wow wine, modern and edgy. 92 itself crisply and clearly. As lean and modern as it is, it is able to maintain a richness within. Impressive. 3 BADGE ENOLOGY White Knight 2014 Viognier, Clarksburg ($12.99) delicately perfumed nose is