Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/960891
april 2018 / the tasting panel / 87 94 Niner Wine Estates 2014 Fog Catcher Estate-Grown Premium Bordeaux Blend, Paso Robles ($100) Silky and lush with tangy plum and berry fruit that delve deep; elegant, complex, and refined; bright and long. 37% Cabernet Franc, 29% Petit Verdot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 6% Malbec. 90 Steele Wines 2016 Cuvée Chardonnay, Santa Barbara, Sonoma, and Mendocino Counties ($22) Smooth, juicy, and rich with racy acidity and lush texture; long and balanced. Jed Steele continues to make quality wines with a minimalistic approach. 89 Perfusion Vineyard 2014 Pinot Noir, San Francisco Bay ($40) Tangy and earthy with green cherry fruit; edgy and dry; vibrant acidity and long- lasting flavors. 92 Piña Cahoots 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($49) Lush and rich with depth and finesse; notes of plum with generous flavors of berries and chocolate; an exquisite wine from one of Napa's true cult producers. 90 SAVED 2016 Red Blend, California ($25) Deep and spicy with rich, balanced Rhône style; a stylish blend of Malbec, Grenache, Syrah, and Zinfandel with a lasting finish; smooth and lush from a winery unconventionally named after a Brooklyn tattoo studio. CONSTELLATION BRANDS 91 Trefethen 2015 Merlot, Oak Knoll District, Napa Valley ($40) Gentle plum nose; luscious and softly tannic with bright fruit and tangy style; dense and racy; a solid effort from this Napa leader. 93 Siduri 2015 Rosella's Vineyard Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands ($55) Medium ruby color from winery specializing in cool- climate Pinot Noir ; polished and rich with ripe cherry and earthy notes; generous and long with a crisp, tangy finish. IMPORTS 91 Luce della Vite 2015 Lucente, Toscana IGT, Italy ($30) Smooth, ripe, and tangy with spice and rich texture; dense, earthy, and long; deep and lush from the estate of Lamberto Frescobaldi. FOLIO FINE WINE PARTNERS 93 Masi 2012 Costasera Riserva, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOC, Italy ($80) Sleek and flavorful with spiciness and toasty black fruit; intense, charming, and long from one of the giants of the region. KOBRAND WINE & SPIRITS 92 Yangarra Estate 2014 Old Vine Grenache, McLaren Vale, Australia ($30) Velvety and succulent with minerality, depth, and spice; pure and tangy with racy energy from an Aussie producer specializing in Mediterranean varieties. JACKSON FAMILY WINES VALUE 91 Bodegas Godelia 2012 Mencía, Bierzo, Spain ($19) Dark ruby color ; lush, rich, and fresh with some puckery tannins; juicy with bright plum and blackberry; creamy with good balance. EUROPVIN USA 88 Line 39 Wines 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon, California ($11) Juicy, herbal, and fruity with simple and clean flavors; smooth and balanced; a good option for a weeknight dinner at home. 91 Kim Crawford 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand ($18) Smooth, lush citrus; riper and a bit sweeter since Kim and Erica have left the building, but still as fresh, bright, and complex as the older renditions. CONSTELLATION BRANDS 88 Giò 2016 Pinot Grigio, Delle Venezie IGT, Italy ($13) Smooth, juicy, and minerally; clean and tangy with depth and balance. Giò is the shortened version of giovane, the Italian word for "young." WINE TREES USA