The Tasting Panel magazine

May 2016

Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/674905

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 96 of 148

92  /  the tasting panel  /may 2016 WINES Moniker Wine Estates 2013 Chardonnay, Mendocino County ($23) A top-of-the-line white for an affordable price from the Thornhill family. Aged four months sur lie in American oak barrels, a silky, creamy white chocolate and egg custard sensation is apparent. It's a slurp-friendly Chard that speaks in a sophisticated mouthfeel. Lemongrass and egg white: a cocktail of flavors and textures, with all the bells and whistles for balance. 95 Levendi 2013 Reserve Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($40) Vanilla meets butterscotch on the nose, but the ideal pitch of acidity tones it up without deflating the delicious, sweet oak and tapioca notes. Grapes sourced from Oak Knoll, Yountville and Oakville explain the pedigree while the developed creamy ripeness of mango and Bosc pear work the texture and finish with panache. A stunner. 93 Cenyth 2015 Rosé of Cabernet Franc, Sonoma County ($25) Produced from estate vineyards in Chalk Hill, this 100% Cab Franc is the work of French-American Winemaker Hélène Seillan. No ML or barrel aging here: The stainless steel fermented wine is fresh, bright and steely-lean, with bright acidity to match. Grapefruit peel and its pink juice is adorned with a rosy, floral sweetness. 91 JACKSON FAMILY WINES/SPIRE COLLECTION Cellers Can Blau 2013 "Blau," D.O. Montsant, Spain ($13) While licorice paints the tongue, lavender perfumes the senses. This blend of 50% Cariñena (aka Mazuelo), 25% Syrah and 25% Garnacha hails from vines with age ranges from 25 to 40 years. The density and grip is notewor- thy, with pleasurable, palatable plum and dark cherry that usurps the tongue with every sip. 94 GIL FAMILY ESTATES 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. Publisher's Worthy of a smooch. French-style double bizou. Wildly infatuated. Seriously smitten. Head over heels in love. ($40) the acidity Leese-Fitch 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($12) 80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 4% Grenache, 2% Tempranillo, 2% Barbera, 2% Alicante Bouchet & 2% mixed. Sourced from California's specific growing regions to hit the sweet spot on its varietals, this vin- tage opened up in stages, starting with an iron, earthy, cherry-tobacco on the nose. Much of the Cab was sourced from Lodi, which brought out the ripe cherry and a touch of mint. The dry tannins that inched in may be the influence of the Cabernet Sauvignon grown in cooler Northern California areas such as Clarksburg. Paso Robles offered the Merlot—its mocha and tart red fruit showing through. Fine acidity and an undertone of oak-caramel and baking spices keep this food-worthy red toned and lively. 91 3 BADGE ENOLOGY Top Value!!! Cabernet California ($12) 8% Merlot, Tempranillo, 2% Tempranillo, 2% Tempranillo, Bouchet & Bouchet & Bouchet 2% California's to hit the varietals, this varietals, this varietals, vin- starting cherry-tobacco Cab was brought touch of inched of the of the of Cabernet Value!!!

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of The Tasting Panel magazine - May 2016