Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/646914
march 2016 / the tasting panel / 89 93 Small Vines 2013 Pinot Noir, MK Vineyard, Sonoma Coast ($72) A transforming experience with a rare Burgundy convinced Paul Sloan to pursue Pinot Noir ; this noble effort has elegance and depth with rich spice and red cherry on a supple texture. SLOAN FAMILY 91 Somerston Estate 2012 Stornoway, Napa Valley ($90) A Right Bank–inspired Bordeaux-style blend with juicy blackberry and spice; ripe and balanced. 85% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Petit Verdot. IMPORTS 90 Maverick Wines 2012 Breechens Chardonnay-Semillon, Barossa, Australia ($18) A 51% Chardonnay, 49% Semillon blend with bright acidity and lively, lifted flavors; fresh and showing good balance and length. CANNON WINES LIMITED 90 Mt. Beautiful 2014 Chardonnay, North Canterbury, New Zealand ($22)NZ is not all about Sauvignon Blanc. This South Island Chard is crisp and bright with racy acidity and lovely notes of white peach. MT. BEAUTIFUL USA 90 Mas Igneus 2013 Barranc dels Closos Blanc, Priorat, Spain ($26) From a state-of-the-art gravity-flow winery in Catalunya; aromatic with dense fruit and rich apple and pear fruit; mellow and minerally. 90% Garnatxa Blanca, 10% Pedro Ximénez. OPICI IMPORTS 91 Fritz Haag 2014 Brauneberger Riesling Kabinett, Mosel, Germany ($26) Oliver Haag assumed leadership at this venerable, third-generation Mosel house in 2005; fresh peach and apricot fruit leads to a rich, bright finish. LOOSEN BROS. USA 91 Château Carbonnieux 2013 Pessac-Léognan Blanc, France ($40) Fresh, bright white Bordeaux from one of the oldest estates in the region, dating a back to the 12th century. SHAW-ROSS INTERNATIONAL IMPORTERS 91 Famille Perrin 2013 Peyre Blanche, Cairanne, France ($25) Mouth-filling raspberry and black currant fruit with notes of earth and spice—a baby Châteauneuf, charming and complete. VINEYARD BRANDS 92 Riccitelli Wines 2013 Malbec, The Apple Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree, Mendoza, Argentina ($30) A modern but multifacted Malbec from a freewheeling Argentine producer to watch; notes of vanilla oak, wild berries and chocolate. GUARACHI WINE PARTNERS 93 Wakefield Wines 2012 St. Andrews Shiraz, Clare Valley, Australia ($60) One of Down Under's most awarded reds and a flagship Shiraz; elegant and complex with stunning black raspberry and deep spice. SEAVIEW IMPORTS 93 Marqués de Riscal 2010 Baron de Chirel Reserva, Rioja, Spain ($76) There's nothing "second label" about this second label from Riscal; silky and mature with earth, bright black raspberry fruit and spice. SHAW-ROSS 92 Ruffino 2011 Alauda, Toscana, Italy ($85) From the toasty tobacco nose to the dense, earthy/leafy flavors, this brightly styled Super Tuscan from Ruffino is complex and layered. 45% Cabernet Franc, 45% Merlot and 10% Colorino. RUFFINO IMPORT CO. VALUE AND BY-THE-GLASS RECOMMENDATIONS 88 Malibu Rocky Oaks 2013 Chardonnay Collective, California ($11) A super price-to- quality value with sweet oak and ripe pear ; dense, lush and rich. 88 MAN Family Wines 2015 Free- Run Chenin Blanc, Steen, Coastal Region, South Africa ($11) Crisp and lifted citrus and tropical fruit play over smooth texture and lead to a long finish. VINEYARD BRANDS 88 Grace Lane 2014 Riesling, Yakima Valley ($12) Just 11.5 % alcohol makes this smooth, floral and juicy Riesling a quaffer ; bright and long finish. TERLATO WINES