Beverage Dynamics is the largest national business magazine devoted exclusively to the needs of off-premise beverage alcohol retailers, from single liquor stores to big box chains, through coverage of the latest trends in wine, beer and spirits.
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/215070
#### (91) Fat Barrel Cabernet/Shiraz 2012 (South Africa). A deep garnet color; pronounced blackberry and currant notes; underlying hints of earth, chocolate and blueberry add to the complex flavor profile; the full-bodied palate has a good deal of acidity and balance with a long fruity finish. ($16) #### (91) Masi Tupungato Passo Doble Rosso 2010 (Argentina). This unique blend of Malbec and Corvina offers licorice and raspberry aromas with cherry, plum and spice on the palate followed with soft tannins and a lasting finish; pleasantly refreshing. ($19) #### (91) Alto Sur Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (Argentina). Second label for the legendary Sophenia brand from Argentina, this mountain fruit cab proves that Mendoza can also produce wonderful cabs; estate grown at 4,000-ft. altitude, it offers rich dark color and beautiful aromatics; hints of black currants, raspberries and a kiss of mint; very balanced wine. ($20) #### (91) Rive Droite Rive Gauche Cotes du Rhone 2012. (France). Classic dark fruit and pepper spice on the nose. Delivers boat loads of juicy fruit across the palate with superb balance and silky structure. Pure velvet tannins are soft, but definitely there to carry this best buy through to the finish line. ($12) #### (91) The Cottage Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (New Zealand). This New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc offers a robust nose of grapefruit and nectarine; bright, fresh, balanced and good acidity; nice lingering finish with a little bit of spiciness; very refreshing and great as a holiday value. ($14) #### (91) Gaudrelle Cremant de Loire Brut NV (France). The bouquet is initially very light, with a flour-like note drifting about and then a mix of subtle tropical fruit notes; a firm grip on the entry and zippy acidity, but maintains beautiful balance; it softens slowly across the palate, gaining depth and revealing slightly sweet melon flavors along with some pineapple, persimmon, apricot and apple notes. ($20) #### (91) California Square Chardonnay Russian River Valley 2012 (Californa). Delivers fragrant aromas of butter, pear, and tropical fruit; this full-bodied wine has superb richness on the palate yet it never seems heavy or cumbersome; the finish simply bursts with tropical fruit, butterscotch, and crème brulee that combine to give this wine fabulous depth. ($20) #### (90) Muirwood Arroyo Seco Chardonnay 2012 (California). Pleasant notes of toast, butter, and citrus; smooth and creamy with no hard edges to the flavors of butter, pear, and tropical fruits; this chardonnay delivers a lot of value. ($15) #### (90) River Road Sonoma Chardonnay 2012 (California). A very pleasant chardonnay from the Russian River Valley; the wine's creamy texture provides an excellent backdrop for the flavors of pear, citrus fruit and butter; the crisp finish would make this an excellent food pairing wine. ($14) NATIONAL RETAILER WINE PANEL Crestwood Liquors Coventry, RI Matthew A. Reay VP Marketing/ Merchandising Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits Silvis, IL Kevin Miller Wine & Spirits Manager North Ridge Wine Ellicott City, MD Brad Boarman Owner Trig's Cellar 70 Minocqua, WI Dennis J. Kohl Beverage Consultant Flute New York, NY Herve Rousseau Owner Hyatt Regency Bethesda, MD Josh Haugh Food & Beverage Director Prime Wines & Spirits Kenmore, NY Rick McLeod Wine Manager Total Wine & More Claymont, DE Christina Pearce Senior Buyer Bowery & Vine Wine & Spirits New York, NY Bill Beard, Manager Frugal MacDoogal's Nashville, TN Jack Mantle, Wine Dept. K&L Wine Merchants Redwood City, CA Bryan Brick Sales Consultant Premium Wine & Spirits Williamsville, NY Dave Cleveland General Manager Vino 100 Michael A. Schaefer, CWE Dir., Business Development Brown Derby Stores Springfield, MO John Riley Retail Fine Wine Buyer Hamilton Beverage/ United Package Liquors Indianapolis, IN Arnie Lewin Manager/Wine Buyer Liquor Barn Louisville, KY Michael Sorg Wine Manager Bullfrog Wine and Spirits Fort Collins, CO Chuck Carlson GM, Certified Sommelier Happy Harry's Bottle Shop Grand Forks, ND Dustin Mitzel General Manager Liquorama Wine Cellars Hyde Park, NY Maggie Gephard Vice President/General Manager Cordially Yours Wine and Spirits Depew, NY Jeannine Babcock Director Wine & Spirits Haskell's Minnetonka, MN Ted Farrell President Malloy's Finest Wine & Spirits Naperville, IL Bruce Jaroski Wine Director ABC Fine Wines & Spirits Orlando, FL Brad Lewis, Director of Wine Sales Bottle Bargains Northport, NY Ryan Armstrong Store Manager Andina Restaurant/ Pearl Wine Shop Portland, OR Ken Collura Director/Sommelier Bottle King Liquors Livingston, NJ Steve Carpentier General Manager Atlantic Liquors Rehoboth Beach, DE John Driscoll Wine Manager Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits Annapolis, MD Phil Altherr, GM Katie Harper, Wine Sales Berbiglia Wine & Spirits Kansas City, MO Ralph J. Bondon Vice President/Owner Beverages & more! Concord, CA Wilfred Wong E-Commerce Cellar Master The Boerne Wine Co. Boerne, TX Tom Geoghegan "Wine Guy" Cotuit Liquors Marston Mills, MA Dan O'Brien, President Holiday Wine Cellar Escondido, CA Jim Kern Manager, Wine Buyer Mills Fine Wine & Spirits Annapolis, MD Peter Finkelstein Wine Consultant Prestige Wine & Spirits Orchard Park, NY Jeff Vignaux General Manager Spec's Wine, Spirits and Finer Foods Houston, TX Hermen Key VP, Retail Development Spencer's for Steaks and Chops Salt Lake City, UT Louis Coppel Wine Host Willowbrook Spirit Shoppe Cromwell, CT Christopher Cambareri Owner Yankee Wine Newtown, CT Steve Small General Manager Tavistock Restaurants San Francisco, CA Carolin Meier Director of Wine Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • November/December 2013 • 35