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BLUE REVIEWS Anthony Dias BLUE REVIEWS I n each issue, Editor-in-Chief Anthony Dias Blue selects a wide range of the best wines and spirits from among the more than 500 he samples over the course of a month. The reviews are subjective editorial evaluations, made without regard to advertising, and products are scored on a 100-point scale: 85-89: VERY GOOD 90-94: OUTSTANDING 95-100: CLASSIC Once products are selected for publication, producers and importers will be offered the option of having their review accompanied by an image (bottle photo or label art) for a nominal fee. There is no obligation to add an image, nor does the decision affect the review or score in any way. The "twisty" icon indicates wines sealed with a screwcap closure. For additional Blue Reviews, go to www.tastingpanelmag.com. 91 90 60 / the tasting panel / june 2012 DOMESTIC 91 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley ($20) Smooth and lush with sweet oak and creamy texture; fresh and juicy with good acidity and depth; elegant, charming and long. Frei Brothers Reserve 2010 E&J GALLO 92 Fox Run Vineyards 2010 Riesling, R12, Finger Lakes, New York ($30) Floral and lush with sweet peach, creamy vanilla; long and opulent; balanced and charming. 92 Carte Blanche 2009 Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast ($76) Bright and vivid with racy acidity and lovely vanilla; precise and elegant with nicely integrated flavors; ripe, balanced, complex and long. Pionniers, Sonoma County ($45) Lush and minerally with ripe, dense flavors; rich, deep and complex with peach and racy acidity; long, layered and balanced. Captûre Wines 2011 Sauvignon Blanc, Les Robles ($36) Lovely ripe berry fruit with silky/velvety texture and depth of flavors; lush with complex notes of fruit, spice and finesse; lovely. Andrew Murray 2009 Syrah, Terra Bella Vineyard, Paso 91 Vineyard, Santa Ynez Valley ($45) Lush and full with ripe plum and berry fruit; dense, juicy and balanced with lovely fresh fruit and style; classic! 91 93 95 ($48) Fresh, bright and showing lovely cherry fruit and tangy acidity; elegant, deep and beautifully balanced; restrained and classic. Welcome back, Tony Rynders! Tendril Wine Cellars 2009 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Beckmen Vineyards 2009 Grenache, Purisima Mountain ($78) Elegant and floral with lovely tangy acidity and bright cherry fruit; fresh and juicy with lovely structure and balance. Calera 2009 Pinot Noir, Selleck Vineyard, Mt. Harlan Napa Valley ($135) Massive and powerful with depth and tons of black plum, toasted oak, licorice and spice; well- structured, complex and generous with excellent balance and style; a blockbuster but with classic overtones. CONSTELLATION WINES U.S. Robert Mondavi 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, IMPORTS 90 Argentina ($13) Fresh and bright, clean and juicy with lovely spice and peach; lively, balanced and delicious with good structure and length. Alamos 2011 Torrontès, Salta, GALLO