Stateways

Stateways Nov-Dec 2013

StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions

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The Year's Best Wines Based upon wine reviews from StateWays' sister publication Beverage Dynamics, here is a list of some of the top wines cited by retailers and sommeliers. tateWays' sister publication Beverage Dynamics publishes a list of wine recommendations, called Retailer Wine Selections, in every issue based upon written evaluations by its National Retailer Wine Panel. The parameters of each list range from specific varietals to favorite summer wines or favorite holiday wines. Each review includes brief tasting notes, a rating and the wine's retail price (which varies from store to store and market to market). The following is a sampling of top wines from the Beverage Dynamics National Retailer Wine Panel from this past year. S Five Stars ##### (96) Peter Michael Belle Cote Chardonnay 2010 (California). Sweet lemon and floral notes; intense flavors with hints of licorice and tropical flavors; luxurious and graceful in the mouth with a long finish. ($90) ##### (95) Knights Bridge Vineyards Knights Valley West Block Chardonnay 2010 (California). Golden yellow, with heavy legs; toasted bread with hints of sweet stone fruits, white peaches and citrus; pear cooked with vanilla hints; generous but not too buttery and big; balanced acidity and fine long finish that lingers. ($66) ##### (95) Mark Ryan Dead Horse Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (California). Opaque purple color followed by a sweet, ripe nose of black currants, floral scents, licorice, and vanillin; exhibiting plenty of cassis fruit, this pure, dense, concentrated, full-bodied yet elegant wine should drink well for 8-10 years. ($50) ##### (95) Obelisco Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (Washington State). Grown on a small 30 acre vineyard in red granite; full bodied and rich with a velvety mouthfeel; dark cherry, raspberry, and ripe currant with a dusty and restrained tannins on the finish; beautiful. ($43) ##### (95) Artesa Artisan Series Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (California). Artesa is located in a cooler part of the Napa Valley, and this elegant, supple wine reflects that choice of location; the nose and palate offer up plenty of bright black fruits, with edges of spice and oak; the tannins are well balanced with good acidity and plenty of fruit. ($46) ##### (95) Col Solare Columbia Valley Red Wine 2008 StateWays I www.stateways.com I November/December 2013 (Washington State). This blend is two-thirds cabernet, giving it weight and structure; fter nearly two years in barrel, the tannins are soft and accessible; lots of black fruit on the nose and palate, make for a rich, full bodied glass of superb red wine. ($75) ##### (95) Rutherford Hill Barrel Select Red Blend 2008 (California). Made from 77% merlot, 14% cabernet sauvignon, 9% cabernet franc; beautifully structured with an intense floral bouquet and lush black fruit flavors; aging for 21 months in French barriques adds soft, silky tannins for perfect balance; nice now, it will cellar for several years for optimum enjoyment. ($30) ##### (95) Frog's Leap Merlot 2010 (California). Sustainable farming reveals a very rich merlot; flavors of chocolate and blueberries with balanced acidity; delicious. ($40) 29

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