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88 Whiplash Wines 2009 Redemption, California ($11) A silky Zinfandel-Barbera-Syrah blend; juicy and lush with bright raspberry fruit and some nice earth notes; supple and tangy with good acidity and clean, lively fl avors. REATA WINERY 88 88 88 Syrah, South Ridge, Paso Robles ($15) J. Lohr 2010 Lush and dense with ripe blackberry and spice; lush and showing nice vanilla oak; long and balanced on the fi nish. Santa Cruz Mountains ($15) Smooth and clean, juicy and bright with tangy cherry and notes of spice, earth and racy acidity; balanced, fresh and charming. Bargetto Winery 2010 Pinot Noir Reserve, Regan Estate, ($20/3-liter box) Lush, ripe and fresh with plum, cassis and tangy acidity; silky, smooth and charming; balanced and long. Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina Bota Box 2011 DFV WINES SPIRITS 89 90 Greenhook Ginsmiths Beach Plum Gin Liqueur, USA ($50) Smooth and aromatic with ruby color and notes of tea and cherry with plum, creamy texture and a long, lush fi nish; spicy, long and balanced with mellow fl avors and good balance. GREENHOOK GINSMITHS 89 Reposado, Mexico Agave Loco Pepper Cured Tequila ($27) Smooth and creamy with green pepper and some heat; vegetal and hot with pepper integrated nicely into the fl avors of the tequila. AGAVE LOCO 94 Whiskey, USA ($111) Lush and smooth with lovely depth and notes of spice and vanilla; complex and spicy with smooth notes of oak, toast and creamy texture; intense, balanced and mellow; intense and balanced with deep fl avors and style; from Vermont. WhistlePig 11 Year Straight Rye DOMAINE SELECT Ridge Distillery Silver Tip American Dry Gin, USA ($45) Soft juniper nose; sweet with notes of citrus, tea and vanilla; lush and loaded with spice and creamy fl avors; from the northwest Montana Rockies. CITIZEN SPIRITS 92 Tequila, Mexico ($35) Aromatic and soft agave nose; smooth, creamy and mellow with vanilla, spice, nice agave notes and a lush, agave fi nish; clean, peppery and quite lovely; long and balanced on the fi nish. TEQUILA DON WEBER Tequila Don Weber Silver october 2012 / the tasting panel / 55