Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/674905
may 2016 / the tasting panel / 89 93 Herzog 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Clone # Six Edition, Chalk Hill ($140) Winemaker Joe Hurliman works magic with this Cabernet clone. Deep flavors of blackberry, cassis and cherry; lush and showing hints of vanilla oak and spice; complex and long. Kosher. ROYAL WINE CORP. 96 Arcudi Wines 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon, Black Sears Vineyard, Howell Mountain ($150) Exquisitely balanced mountain fruit shows rich blueberry fruit, smoke, spice and vanilla; it's big and complex but never overbearing—elegant, restrained and stylish; loaded with nuance and beautiful flavors. IMPORTS 88 Fattoria Sardi 2015 Rosato, Toscana, Italy ($20) A light salmon- pink Tuscan rosé; smooth, juicy and crisp with lively acidity and a long, fresh finish. Sangiovese, Merlot, Ciliegiolo and Syrah. SANTA MARGHERITA USA 90 Astrolabe Winery 2015 Province Pinot Gris, Marlborough, New Zealand ($22) There's great varietal character in this juicy Pinot Gris with crisp peach and citrus; bright and tangy, long and fresh. CANNONBALL WINE COMPANY 91 Alois Lageder 2014 Porer Pinot Grigio, Südtirol–Alto Adige, Italy ($25) Lovely and racy with fresh, bright fruit; creamy and aromatic, lush and deep with length and elegance. Biodynamic. DALLA TERRA 95 Olivier Leflaive 2014 Puligny-Montrachet, France ($78) The Leflaive family has resided in the village of Puligny Montrachet for centuries. This expressive white is lush, dense and ripe with firm mineral notes and a long, spicy finish. FREDERICK WILDMAN AND SONS 94 Armand de Brignac Blanc de Noirs Champagne, France ($850) When Dom Pérignon feels too down-market, there's this. Lush and intense with rich fruit and bright flavors of peach, pear and raspberry; dense, elegant and balanced. 91 Lamole di Lamole 2011 Chianti Classico Gran Selezione, Vigneto di Campolungo, Italy ($45) Nicely aged for dense plum and showing notes of spice, earth and violets. 85% Sangiovese, 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. SANTA MARGHERITA USA 95 Castello Banfi 2010 Poggio alle Mura Brunello di Montalcino, Italy ($85) The great Brunello from Banfi is especially stunning in this vintage. Luscious, elegant and intense with cherry, spice and licorice; ripe and complex with depth and finesse. BANFI VINTNERS 94 Domaine Faiveley 2014 Chambertin– Clos de Bèze Grand Cru, France ($266) Faiveley has united the management of its vineyards and cellar under the direction of one Technical Director, Jérôme Flous—a wise decision as this lush and elegant Grand Cru proves. FREDERICK WILDMAN AND SONS 91