THE THE JUNE 2017 • $6.95 TASTING PANEL MAGAZINE • JUNE 2017JUNE

WHAT MAKES GREAT WINEMAKING? THE WINEMAKING TEAM AT GRUPPO MEZZACORONA, WHICH OVERSEES THREE WINERIES AND THREE DIFFERENT BRANDS

Lucio Matricardi works with five fellow winemakers at Gruppo Mezzacorona to produce the of Mezzacorona, Rotari PHOTO: MATTEO DESTEFANO MATTEO PHOTO: and Stemmari.

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TP0617_092-118.inddTP0617_092-118.indd 116 117 5/26/17 10:115/26/17 AM 10:11TP0617_001-31.indd AM 1 5/26/17 10:06 AM Anthony Dias BLUE REVIEWS

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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 DOMESTIC the course of a month. The reviews are subjective editorial evaluations, Robert Mondavi Résonance 2014 made without regard to advertising, 91Winery 2014 93Pinot Noir, and products are scored on a Merlot, Napa Valley Résonance Vineyard, 100-point scale: ($25) Tangy plum and juicy Yamhill-Carlton ($65) fruit; long, balanced and Maison Louis Jadot’s stylish in the best Robert exciting Oregon project. 85-89: VERY GOOD Mondavi tradition. Deep, rich color; lush and CONSTELLATION WINES U.S. dense with tangy berry fruit 90-94: OUTSTANDING and savory flavors. Stoller Family Estate 2016 KOBRAND 95-100: CLASSIC 91Chardonnay, Dundee Hills ($25) Entrepreneur Bill Stoller, co-owner Roger Roessler Wines 2015 Once products are selected for of Chehalem Winery, planted ten acres 93Pinot Noir, 3 BBL Vineyard, publication, producers and importers of Chard and Pinot in 1995 and never Sonoma Coast ($70) As if we needed will be offered the option of having looked back. Charmingly bright, juicy and more proof that the Sonoma Coast is their review accompanied by an crisp with racy acidity and tangy citrus. ideal Burgundian-variety terroir. Silky image (bottle photo or label art) for and smooth with crisp acidity and racy a nominal fee. There is no obligation acid structure. to add an image, nor does the R2 COMPANY decision affect the review or score in any way. Sea Smoke Cellars 2014 Ten 96Pinot Noir, Sta. Rita Hills The “twisty” icon indicates wines ($82) Bright, silky and juicy with tangy sealed with a screwcap closure. La Follette 2014 cherry fruit; fresh, elegant and balanced 94Chardonnay, Sangiacomo with depth, style and finesse; the role For additional Blue Reviews, go to Vineyard, Sonoma Coast ($38) Greg model for California Pinot. www.bluelifestyle.com. La Follette is a star winemaker and this is one of his best; silky, high-toned and Gamble Family Vineyards Prices are for 750 ml. bottles unless refined; juicy and balanced. 942013 Paramount, Napa otherwise noted. WINE CREEK LLC Valley ($90) A stellar Bordeaux-style blend with ruby color, rich plum and Trefethen 2014 Merlot, Oak deep berries and spice; lovely with 91Knoll, Napa Valley ($40) The generous style and elegant depth; layered Napa Valley Merlots keep on coming— and complex with classic structure. 33% this one delivers ripe plum, fresh style and Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot, 30% great balance. Cabernet Franc, 6% Petit Verdot.

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Drink over ice as an aperitif or use in cocktails to give your Martini an Iberian twist.

IMPORTS

Parparoussis 92Winery 2015 Assyrtiko, Achaia, ($23) One of several impressive Greek González Byass NV wines I’ve tasted recently. 90 La Copa , Aromatic, smooth and lush Massolino 2012 Barolo, Spain ($10) Deep, caramel with fresh apple and pear 91($52) Smooth, bright and racy color; spicy, bitter nose; smooth, tones; intense and complex. with elegant texture and flavors of silky and botanical; silky, sweet CAVA SPILIADIS cranberry and plum; silky and balanced, and rich. long and graceful. GONZALEZ BYASS USA St. Urbans-Hof 2015 Nik VINEYARD BRANDS 90Weis Riesling, Alte Reben, Lustau NV Vermut, Mosel, ($18) It’s hard to beat Masi 2012 91Jerez, Spain ($22) the price on this crisp Riesling with lime 93Costasera, Amarone Caramel color; intense spice nose; and sweet, tangy fruit. della Valpolicella smooth, juicy and crisp with notes HB WINE MERCHANTS Classico DOCG, Italy of orange, coriander and gentian. ($64) Dark and luscious with SKURNIK WINES VieVité 2015 Rosé dense blackberry and spice; 90Extraordinaire, Côtes de concentrated and intense. Provence, ($30) Pale salmon Another stellar wine from color; lush and smooth with depth Sandro Boscaini. 70% Corvina, and finesse; dr y, elegant and fresh. 85% 25% Rondinella, 5% Molinara. Grenache, 10% Cinsault, 5% Rolle. KOBRAND TURQUOISE LIFE

Pascual Toso 2014 Barrancas VALUE AND 92Toso, Mendoza, Argentina ($20) Lush and ripe with smooth plum BY-THE-GLASS and fresh black raspberry; ripe, elegant RECOMMENDATIONS Shooting Star Winery 2016 and balanced with refined flavors. Another 88Sauvignon Blanc, Lake Paul Hobbs triumph. 60% Malbec, 40% Snoqualmie County ($14) Jed Steele’s second label Cabernet Sauvignon. 88Vineyards 2015 delivers again with bright acidity, nice QUINTESSENTIAL WINES Winemaker’s Select balance and long flavors. Riesling, Columbia Valley Parparoussis ($8) Juicy, fresh and charming Wither Hills 2016 Pinot Noir 92Winery 2012 with length and balance. Great 88Rosé, Marlborough, New Nemea Reserve, Greece bang for the buck, as always Zealand ($14) The Kiwis jump on the ($47) Lush, smooth, rich with Snoqualmie. rosé bandwagon with this charmer. Deep nose; deep with elegance and STE. MICHELLE WINE ESTATES pink color; dense, rich and dry with tangy aromatic fruit; rich, lovely and style. full-bodied. Made from the Tercos 2016 DISTINGUISHED VINEYARDS & WINE PARTNERS Agiorgitiko grape. 88Torrontés, Salta, CAVA SPILIADIS Argentina ($14) Silky and Finca El Encinal 2014 fresh with aromatic style 88Tempranillo Crianza, Ribera and bright; smooth and lush; del Duero, Spain ($15) Clean and fresh clean and rich; dry and tangy; long and with juicy style and crisp acidity; silky and balanced. bright with balance and tangy berry fruit. GLOBAL VINEYARD VISION WINE & SPIRITS LLC

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