Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/990824
66 / the tasting panel / june 2018 BLUE REVIEWS 91 Fasoli Gino 2014 Valpo, Valpolicella Ripasso Superiore DOC, Italy ($36) Full- bodied, powerful, and ripe; smooth texture with balance and a long, clean finish; a typical regional blend of Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella. M.M. IMPORTS VALUE 90 Two Angels 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, High Valley ($17) Smooth, fresh, and juicy with bright acidity and lively varietal style; silky and crisp. Interestingly, the artwork appearing on the label was created by Belgian painter Jacob de Backer in the late 1500s. QUINTESSENTIAL WINES 90 Don Sebastiani and Sons 2015 Big Smooth Cabernet Sauvignon, Lodi ($22) Refined, lush, and spicy with bright plum and berry flavors; opulent, clean, and balanced. 83% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot, 4% Petite Sirah, and 3% Malbec. 90 Castoro Cellars 2016 Estate Late Harvest Muscat Canelli, Paso Robles ($22) Inspired by Co-Founder Niels Udsen's tenure at Estrella River Winery in the 1980s; creamy and sweet with rich texture and spicy Muscat fruit; ripe and dense. 89 Tangent 2016 Paragon Vineyard Pinot Gris, Edna Valley ($17) Smooth, crisp, and mellow from a Sustainability in Practice (SIP) Certified estate vineyard; lush and juicy with robust style and hints of minerals. 89 Laberinto 2016 Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina ($13) Polished, bright, and juicy; fresh and tangy with lush and dense dark fruits; rich, long, and balanced. WINE TREES USA 89 Château Chantal Naughty Red, Michigan ($14) From the land of Tigers and Lions; bright, charming, and flavorful with clean, tangy berry fruit; a dry, crisp, and lively blend of five varieties. 89 Masi 2017 Rosa dei Masi Rosé, Rosato delle Venezie IGT ($15) Pale pink color with racy acidity and crisp style; dry, fresh, and lively; balanced with a lengthy finish. 100% Refosco. KOBRAND CORP. 88 Pedroncelli Winery 2017 Signature Selection Dry Rosé of Zinfandel, Dry Creek Valley ($17) Deep raspberry pink; dense, spicy, and tangy; lush, deep, and long; a recurring classic from this historic Sonoma winery. 90 Albamar 2017 Sauvignon Blanc, Casablanca Valley, Chile ($12) Reminiscent of a green apple crisp with classic structure and balance; racy, graceful, and luscious; long and fresh; an amazing value. GLOBAL VINEYARD IMPORTERS 91 Alcance 2015 Gran Reserva Chardonnay, Maule Valley, Chile ($20) Juicy, refreshing, and tangy with minerality and zesty acidity; bright and modern; long and balanced; a small-production wine from Kendall-Jackson's Chilean property. MAJESTIC IMPORTS 90 Radius 2016 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley ($17) Bright herbal nose; smooth and fresh with plum and mocha flavors; bright, elegant, and fresh with balance and depth; a remarkable value. PRECEPT WINE 91 Morgan 2016 G17 Syrah, Santa Lucia Highlands ($24) Earthy, spicy, and lively with blackberry and silky texture; fresh and generous; 88% Syrah, 8% Grenache, and 4% Tempranillo.