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76 / the tasting panel / november 2016 WINES Ménage à Trois 2015 Gold Chardonnay, California ($12) The label says it all: rich, indulgent and lavish. We agree. From its flirta- tious nose of tropically sweet fruit and spicy cedar to its eye-opening first sip of broad, generous, creamy strokes of ripe pineapple, mango and key lime to a heady finish of buttered brioche. Wow—the blend of Chardonnay, Viognier and Verdelho hits all the unctuous notes. 91 TRINCHERO FAMILY ESTATES Westwood 2015 Roussanne-Viognier, Annadel Gap Vineyard, Sonoma Coast ($36) A combination of 63% Roussanne, 32% Viognier and 5% Robert Young Vineyard Chardonnay, this creamy, dreamy Rhône-style offering shows bright stone fruit with a mineral mid-palate. Floral tones breeze through with leesy weight, and it finishes with crisp, fresh Asian pear sleekness. 92 Frei Brothers Reserve 2014 Chardonnay, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County ($20) On the nose, just-squeezed lemon adorns caramel, giving you the charm of sweet and tart. The mouthfeel is round and sumptu- ous—not overly, but that just right texture that allows the acidity to shine through. Baked apple-filled croissant is next up by mid-palate, spreading steadily, adagio, coming to a long finish with notes of buttered pear, tangerine and vanilla. 92 E&J GALLO William Hill 2014 Chardonnay, Napa Valley ($27) Intriguing scents of lemon curd, daisies and toasted oats give way to a sweet first sip of vanilla with bass notes of oak tannins that linger on the palate to the finish. Between the two phases of this complex white, butterscotch and cinnamon stick are kissed with lemon drops. This wine begs for food. 92 E&J GALLO Barbed Wire 2014 Winemaker's Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Lot No. 9, North Coast ($13) Brilliant acidity and a chocolate- kissed blueberry/blackberry richness spin a flow of flavor in this juicy red sourced from Alexander Valley and Red Hills Vineyard in Lake County. Savory notes and spice indicate a wealth of complexity: Olive, espresso, black pepper and a touch of grilled meat take you to the finish and back again. 90 TRINCHERO FAMILY ESTATES Earthquake 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi ($26) What a vintage! Brandied plum and chalky tannins maneuver their way through this big-bodied red. Sundrenched raisin and blueberry spiced cedar round up some cedar and sage and celebrate to the end. 91 MICHAEL DAVID WINERY 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. PHOTO: DAVID GADD