Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/844641
july 2017 / the tasting panel / 73 DOMESTIC 91 Geyser Peak 2015 River Ranches Sauvignon Blanc, Russian River Valley ($22) Cool- climate Russian River Valley fruit results in a seamless, bright Sauv Blanc with silky texture and lovely balance. ACCOLADE WINES 92 Buty Winery 2015 Chardonnay, Conner Lee Vineyard, Columbia Valley ($42) Silky and ripe with forward fruit; elegant and fresh with finesse and style—a lovely wine from Washington State. 91 Whetstone Wine Cellars 2015 Viognier, Catie's Corner Vineyard, Russian River Valley ($50) Vintner Jamey Whetstone apprenticed at Domaine Dujac in Burgundy. Creamy and lush with elegant style; nicely dense with depth and fine balance. 91 True Myth Winery 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Paso Robles ($24) The Niven family of Edna Valley look north to Paso for this Cabernet with fresh blackberry and plum; toasty with vanilla oak and balanced, structured flavors. NIVEN FAMILY WINE ESTATES 94 Patz & Hall 2015 Chardonnay, Alder Springs Vineyard, Mendocino ($60) Now under the Ste. Michelle Wine Estates umbrella. Silky and elegant with lovely texture and precise flavors of tangy citrus and smooth vanilla oak. STE. MICHELLE WINE ESTATES 92 Siduri 2015 Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands ($35) The longtime cult Pinot house of winemaker Adam Lee, whose vineyard sources range from Willamette Valley to the Santa Rita Hills. Ripe cherry nose; silky with bright berry fruit and racy acidity. 91 Verdad 2014 Tempranillo, Sawyer Lindquist Vineyard, Edna Valley ($30) The Spanish varietal spinoff project from Qupé. Lively, tangy acid structure; crisp, pure and showing bright style and fresh fruit. Biodynamic. 93 Trombetta Family Wines 2014 Pinot Noir, Gap's Crown Vineyard, Sonoma Coast ($65) Gap's Crown is one of the vineyard jewels of Sonoma County. Aromatic and lush nose; spicy, ripe cherry and concentrated flavors. In 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.bluelifestyle.com. Prices are for 750 ml. bottles unless otherwise noted. Anthony Dias BLUE REVIEWS Presented by