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Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/123667
CHEERS WINE PANEL layered pinot grigio that combines the bright, fruity flavors of a white with faint notes of a pinot noir. A citrus-filled opening leads into sweetly spicy notes of apple and pear, concluding in long herbal and floral tones. Medium- to fullbodied and delicious. ($16) (90) The Dreaming Tree White Blend 2012 (California). The blend of gewurztraminer, riesling,and viognier make this white bright, fresh and fruity. ($15) (90) Gassan Moon Mountain Sake Junmai Ginjo (Japan). Displays a subtle but beautiful bouquet of flowers, lychee, coconut and linen. The palate is quite smooth and supple, yet with some finishing crispness that makes it quite lovely, and a fine food partner—not just with sushi! The floral aspect seems to remain throughout. ($18) (90) Geil Gruner Silvaner Trocken 2011 (Rheinhessen, Germany). Gruner Silvaner is one of Rheinhessen's oldest grape varieties. Weingut Geil produces a lovely wine that is delicately aromatic with some notes of melon and clove. Soft and dry on the palate, it's ideal before dinner or will complement freshwater fish. ($16) (90) Indwe Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (South Africa). The light bouquet is lemony and also shows off a touch of mineral. Medium-full and round, it has lovely fruit structure and excellent balance while displaying far more complexity than you would expect from a variety often overlooked in this region of the world. ($20) (90) Ménage à Trois White 2010 (California). Lots of grapefruit and pear aromas; this blend of chardonnay, moscato and chenin blanc drinks like an unoaked chardonnay; plenty of nice acidity and green apple. ($13) (90) Murrieta's Well The Whip White Blend 2011 (California). Light-bodied, six-grape blend; citrus fruits with nice acidity; great for summer drinking. ($19) (90) Oak Ridge Ancient Vines Lodi Zinfandel 2011 (California). Cherry and blackberry flavors mesh perfectly with acidity and smokiness in this rich, robust wine. Ripe tannins provide an overall frame for this fruit-forward, oldvine zinfandel. ($14) (90) Picollo Gavi di Gavi 2012 (Italy). Medium-bodied with bright peach aromas and flavors, followed by a long, complex finish. ($16) (90) Joel Gott Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (California). A wonderfully refreshing classic California sauvignon blanc. Hints of grapefruit and melon add beautiful acidity and a clean finish to this wine. Perfect with appetizers or grilled fish. ($14) (90) Script & Seal Chardonnay 2012 (Washington State). Flavors of tree-ripened pears with hints of golden apples. Good, balanced acidity to frame out the palate. Refreshing crispness keepsthings lively. ($15) (90) King Estate Signature Pinot Gris 2011 (Oregon). Peaches, pears, and floral notes give way to great structure and great minerality. Wonderful patio wine and great with sushi. ($14) (89) Apothic White 2011 (California). This blend of chardonnay, riesling and moscato has tropical aromas, mostly of grapefruit; the flavor however, is an off-dry combination of honey, ripe cantaloupe and peaches. ($10) (90) Kinneybrook Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (California). An intense crimson color in the glass, this cabernet has aromas of dark fruits, black pepper, and traces of savory smoke. Layered and full bodied, this is an elegant and well-balanced wine. ($22) (89) Charles Thomas Cotes du Rhone Rouge 2011 (France). The bouquet is very mild, with lightly sweet, red berry aromas. It is medium full and easygoing at first, but becomes expansive and round across the palate. Fine-grained but firm tannins offer commendable structure, and the finish is quite long. ($11) (90) Les Galets de Sauveterre Cotes du Rhone 2011 (France). The Serguier family, 6th generation growers and winemakers, have produced a classic barbecue red, smooth, flavorful and complex. ($16) (90) Milbrandt Brothers' Blend Red 2010 (Washington State). Aromas of cherry and vanilla, this juicy red has flavors of berry, cocoa and vanilla, with a hint of spice and an easy, toasty finish. ($16) 46 | MAY 2013 (89) Francis Ford Coppola Director's Cut Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 2011 (California). Dark-fruit aroma; cherry, raspberry flavors; nice finish. ($19) (89) Dolcetto-Palmina 2011 (California). A Piemonte grape with a name that means "the sweet one," but there is nothing sweet about it. The grape is just more gentle and amicable than its big cousin nebbiolo. Flavors include berries, www.cheersonline.com