Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/807384
april 2017 / the tasting panel / 77 89 Butternut 2016 Rosé, Central Coast ($15) Rosé is not just for summer these days; this one is a fresh, crisp, lively blend of 50% Tempranillo and 50% Syrah. BNA WINE GROUP 88 Tortoise Creek Wines 2014 The Revivalist Merlot, Clarksburg ($12) Tortoise Creek works with small California farmers who focus on sustainability. A meaty-style Merlot with a refreshing, balanced finish. WINESELLERS LTD. 88 Tenuta Sant'Antonio 2015 Scaia Corvina, Veneto, Italy ($12) Corvina is usually blended into Valpolicella, but here's a single-varietal version with notes of earth, wood and spice. Charming. DALLA TERRA 89 Chronic Cellars 2016 Pink Pedals Rosé, California ($15) Made in a mostly dry style, this 87% Grenache, 13% Syrah blend is Southern French in taste but the edgy label definitely says California. WX/WINERY EXCHANGE 90 Arrowood 2014 Sonoma Estates Cabernet Sauvignon, Sonoma Valley ($15) Dark ruby color ; smooth, lush and herbal—Dick Arrowood's velvety style (although he's no longer at his namesake winery)—with loads of polish for the modest price. 5% Merlot, 1% Malbec. JACKSON FAMILY WINES SPIRITS 92 Mulholland Gin–The Spirit of Los Angeles, USA ($27) A "New World" gin from a ctor Walton Goggins showing sweet, soft herbs; mellow and restrained with creamy texture and a long smooth finish; loaded with finesse and style. MULHOLLAND DISTILLING 92 Diplomático Rum Planas, Venezuela ($29) Clear ; smooth, mellow nose; silky and smooth, clean and elegant with notes of vanilla and sugar cane; balanced, supple with creamy texture and a long, rich finish. DOMAINE SELECT 94 Glenmorangie Bacalta Private Edition Single Malt Scotch, Scotland ($100) Finished entirely in sun-baked Malmsey Madeira casks; soft, smooth malt nose; mellow and elegant with hints of Madeira and toasty vanilla oak; silky and refined; stunning. MOET HENNESSY USA 94 Knappogue Castle 16 Year Old Sherry Finish Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Ireland ($100) Knappogue Castle's core expressions are made from malted barley dried in ovens without the use of peat and with pure Irish spring water. Elegant style; toasty and rich with balanced finesse. CASTLE BRANDS 94 West Cork Rum Cask Finish 12 Year Old Single Malt Irish Whiskey, Ireland ($66) Another excellent entry in this white-hot category—one of three specially finished limited releases (rum, Port and Sherry cask). Aromatic and elegant; toasty and deep with satin texture and mellow style. MS WALKER 94 Suau Orange Brandy, Spain ($25) Suau 8 Year Old Brandy is macerated with parts of various types of oranges, each of which lends its own aromas and identity to the finished product. Sweet and authentic with ripe orange and creamy texture. THE MARSALLE COMPANY 90 Ancho Reyes Verde Poblano Chile Licor, Spain ($33) Grassy, herbal nose; intense and hot with earth, grass, poblano capsicum and some sweetness. Bartenders are finding great ways to use this unique product. WILLIAM GRANT & SONS 90 velvety style (although he's winery)—with loads of polish