RETAILER
WINESELECTIONS
The Beverage Dynamics National Retailer Wine Panel
recommends a lineup of top quality/value zinfandels.
For this issue, we asked members of the Beverage Dynamics National Retailer Wine Panel to recommend
some of their favorite zinfandels. As always, these selections include brief tasting notes, a rating and the
wine's retail price (which varies from store to store and market to market). If you're a retail beverage
professional who would like to learn about participating in our panel, call Richard Brandes at 212-353-3832,
or email him at rbrandes@m2media360.com.
FIVE STARS
##### (95) Louis M. Martini,
Monte Rosso Vineyard Gnarly
Vine Zinfandel 2010 (California).
The Monte Rosso vineyard is one of
the most storied in Sonoma County,
with vines over 100 years old; the
rich flavors and plush tannins are a
testament to the quality of the fruit
these vines provide; large quantities
of black fruit dominate the nose,
with subtle hints of vanilla and
spice; the wine is rich and dense on
the palate, with a lingering balanced
finish. ($50)
##### (94) Terra d'Oro
Deaver Vineyard Zinfandel 2009
(California). These 100-plus yearold vines produce an enormous and
concentrated Zinfandel; the heavy
berry and cassis aromas are followed
by a rich and savory explosion of
fruit; this wine will take a couple of
hours to open and start to release its
fruit. ($29)
##### (94) Ridge Paso Robles
Zinfandel 2010 (California). A
rich, jammy nose that is the trademark of the Benito Dusi vineyard;
on the palate there's a bright acidity
and great balance with the dark fruit
and white pepper. ($33)
such as petite sirah, carignane, and
alicante add to the complexity and
richness on the palate; the nose and
palate share aspects of brambly
black fruit; the 20 months of barrel
aging add hints of spice, tobacco
and coffee. ($35)
##### (94) Girard Old Vine
Zinfandel 2010 (California). The
2010 vintage is fuller-bodied than
previous vintages; petite sirah helps
present a dark ruby color; the aromas offer dark chocolate covered
cherries, lush blueberries and ripe
plums; winter spices and underlying
layers of mocha round out this powerful wine; tannins present a soft
structure and are well integrated in
the wine. ($32)
##### (93) Brown Napa Valley
Zinfandel 2010 (Calfornia).
Flowery, spicy aroma; blackberry,
cherry, cinnamon, cedar; large tannins; long finish. ($39)
##### (94) Ravenswood
Belloni Vineyard Russian River
Valley Zinfandel 2009
(California). The old vines contribute exceptional depth of fruit,
while maintaining elegance and
polish; one-quarter mixed varieties
40 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • January/February 2013
##### (93) Peter Franus
Brandlin Vineyard Zinfandel
2008 (California). Incredible, small
production zinfandel from 85-yearold vines in Napa; deep ruby color
with real structure that delivers all
the blueberries, chocolate, pepper
and cinnamon you would want from
a top notch zinfandel. ($35)
##### (93) Graziano Redwood
Valley Kazmet Vineyard
Zinfandel 2009 (California). From
40-plus-year-old vines in one of
