PHOTO CREDIT : © LMARIYANA M - STOCK . ADOBE . COM

For our latest wine panel , we asked panelists to taste and grade American wines . These bottles could be any style within the category , from anywhere in the country . As always , these selections include brief tasting notes , a rating and the wine ’ s retail price ( which can vary from store to store and market to market ). If you ’ re a beverage professional with a specialty in wine and you ’ re interested in participating in the panel , please contact Off-Premise editor Kyle Swartz at kswartz @ epgacceleration . com or 763-383-4447 .

Five Stars �����

( 97 ) Alexander Valley Vineyards ASR Petite Sirah 2018 ( CA ). Kevin Hall showcases his passion for small-lot projects ( 568 6-btl . cases ) with this special offering . This second vintage is sourced from two special lots that were grafted over to old head-pruned vines in hillside and valley floor sites . Almost perfect growing conditions yielded perfect fruit . Hand harvested , then soaked for 24 hrs ., yeast inoculated and then punched down for maximum color and fruit extraction . After vinification , the wine was aged

in a 20-month oak barrel program . Inky , dark and perfumed , with blue fruit berries dominating on the nose . Balanced acidity , with hints of vanilla and dark chocolate lead to a smooth , lingering finish . I just love experiments that turn out like this ! ($ 49.99 )

( 96 ) Canvasback Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 ( WA ). Canvasback reflects the Washington State portion of the Duckhorn portfolio . Sourcing from the famed Red Mountain appellation virtually guarantees exceptional fruit . Bordeaux-style blending ( primarily cabernet , with merlot , petit verdot , syrah and malbec ), mountain-fruit sourcing and a 20-month French-oak aging program yield spectacular results . Beautiful color and soft berry aromas yield to a smooth lingering finish , with plum and dark chocolate notes . An excellent example of Washington State cabernet , perfect for that rib-eye coming off the grill . ($ 45.99 )

( 96 ) Alexander Valley Vineyards Estate Chardonnay 2020 ( CA ). Cool climate is the place for chardonnay , and the Russian River Valley in Sonoma certainly delivers . Estate fruit combines with the best winemaking techniques : night harvesting , cold fermentation , judicious program for oak aging and malolactic fermentation . A subtle addition of viognier , and you wind up with a very balanced wine with great body . Citrus notes on the nose yield to soft pear notes

RANKING SYSTEM

★★★★★ FIVE STARS ( 92-100 ) A top-flight wine . Superior in taste and character and providing an outstanding price / value relationship .

★★★★ FOUR STARS ( 86-91 ) A very good wine and an excellent value . A wine for which customers will keep coming back .

★★★ THREE STARS ( 80-85 ) An above-average wine , at a reasonable price point , which many customers will enjoy .

on the finish . Great value for the money , and the perfect complement to pasta with shrimp in a cream sauce . ($ 21.99 )

( 95 ) Alexander Valley Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir 2020 ( CA ). AVV takes pinot noir very seriously . Russian River-estate sourcing highlights four legendary Burgundian clones . Hand-harvested lots were kept separate , with Dijon 777 undergoing a 48-hr . cold soak and tank fermen-

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