Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/646914
90 / the tasting panel / march 2016 BLUE REVIEWS 88 Waterbrook Winery 2014 Mélange Founder's White Blend, Columbia Valley ($13) A wine that answers the age-old question: What happens when you mix 36% Riesling, 19% Pinot Gris, 17% Viognier, 10% Chardonnay, 10% Gewürztraminer, 7% Sauvignon Blanc and 1% Muscat? (Hint: It's spicy, floral and long.) PRECEPT WINE 88 Sarah's Vineyard 2013 Chardonnay, Central Coast ($16) A charmingly creamy and ripe Chard with nice pear tones from "mad scientist" (i.e., prolific inventor) and ex–Silicon Valley techie Tim Slater. 88 Calcu 2013 Malbec Reserva, Colchagua Valley, Chile ($14) Malbec migrates to the other side of the Andes in this smooth, bright reserve with plum and juicy acidity. GLOBAL VINEYARD 90 Greystone Cellars 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($14) Created by the Terlato family for the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in Napa Valley; smooth and floral with ripe, lifted flavors of berries and vanilla. TERLATO WINES 88 Feudo Maccari 2014 Nero d'Avola, Sicily IGP, Italy ($16) Depth, density and earthiness are Nero d'Avola's calling cards—and this one's got plenty of each. KOBRAND 89 Mud House 2014 Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand ($17) Smooth black cherry and cola flavors highlighted by savory notes sounds like a winning combination—and it is. ACCOLADE WINES 88 Marchesi di Grésy 2014 La Serra Moscato d'Asti, Italy ($16) Foamy with sweet spice and smooth texture; tangy, fresh and charming whether served as an aperitif or with dessert. DALLA TERRA SPIRITS 92 Khortytsa De Luxe Ultimate Perfection Vodka, Ukraine ($26) Smooth, lush and creamy with vanilla and ripe grain; dense, rich and long. The vodka steal of the year. GLOBAL SPIRITS USA 92 Long Road Distillers Dry Gin, USA ($35) From Grand Rapids, MI. Citrus nose; smooth and spicy with sweetness and vanilla; seamless, rich and balanced with mellow, clean style. LONG ROAD DISTILLERS 93 Tommyrotter American Gin, USA ($40) From Buffalo, NY. Smooth and aromatic with an intense blend of roots, flowers, spices and herbs; complex and creamy with lush flavors and depth. ESPRIT DU VIN (PALM BAY INTERNATIONAL) 91 Boodles Mulberry Gin, U.K. ($29) Move over sloe gin! Deep ruby color ; mellow and sweet, lush and spicy with bright acidity and lovely berry fruit. PROXIMO SPIRITS 92 Herradura 2015 Tequila Reserva Colección de la Casa, Mexico ($90) The latest edition of Herradura's private reserve is suave, elegant and spicy with pepper and haunting echoes of agave; refined and balanced. BROWN-FORMAN 94 Booker's Noe Secret Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey, USA ($60) The third batch selected by Booker's Roundtable, a panel of spirits writers; sweet oak vanilla nose; lovely dried fruits and lush flavors over toasty oak; rich, intense and luscious. BEAM SUNTORY 94 Redemption Aged Barrel Proof Straight Rye Whiskey 10 Years Old, USA ($130) A 110.1-proof powerhouse; herbal, spicy nose; smooth and bright with rye and grassy herbs; toasty and complex with vanilla and floral notes. DEUTSCH FAMILY WINES & SPIRITS 94 Usquaebach 15 Year Old Blended Malt Scotch Whisky, Scotland ($80) Usquaebach is a brand name taken from the Gaelic for "water of life"—the original whiskey of Scotland; smooth, toasty and meaty; balanced with dried fruit, spice and a long, sweet and rounded finish. COBALT BRANDS 90 Brinley Gold Shipwreck Coconut Rum Cream, USA ($25) Milky white; smooth coconut nose; sweet, creamy and assertively coconut-y; rich, smooth and balanced on the finish. BRINLEY & COMPANY 94 Scotch Whisky, ($80) brand name taken from the Gaelic for "water of life"—the original whiskey of Scotland; smooth, toasty and meaty; balanced with dried fruit, spice and a long, sweet and rounded finish. Shipwreck Coconut USA ($25)