www.beveragedynamics.com
September/October 2014 • Beverage Dynamics 45
WINE
SELECTIONS
R E TA I L E R
FIVE STARS
+++++ (97) Buccella Napa Valley Cab-
ernet Sauvignon 2010 (California). A small
production cult wine; deep purple, opaque in
color with concentrated black currant, licorice,
exhibiting intense and fl oral characteristic.
($150)
The Beverage Dynamics
National Retailer Wine Panel
recommends a lineup of top
quality/value cabernet sauvignon.
FOR THIS ISSUE, we asked members of the Beverage Dynamics National Retailer
Wine Panel to recommend some of their favorite cabernet sauvignons. 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 Jeremy
Nedelka at 203-855-8499 x213, or email him at jnedelka@specialtyim.com.
+++++ (97) J.Lohr Hilltop Paso Robles
Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (California). A
beautiful, harmonious blend of Cabernet Sau-
vignon, Petite Verdot, Malbec and Syrah from
prime vineyard sites; aged 18 months in oak;
smooth, balanced, full-bodied, with rich layers
of cherries and blackberries. ($40)
+++++ (96) Cade Winery Howell Moun-
tain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2010 (California). This 100 % estate grown
Cabernet is loaded with aromas blueberry,
blackberry and plums; big, bold and elegant;
the finish is nicely balanced and lingers for
minutes. ($170)
+++++ (96) Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia
2011 (Italy). Supremely elegant and fi ne, the
wine exudes class on the nose and palate; lots
of red fruit, with notes of spice help emphasize
the wine's pedigree; very satisfying now, the
wine will certainly benefi t from medium term
aging. ($57)
+++++ (95) Alexander Valley Vineyards
Alexander School Reserve Cabernet Sau-
vignon 2010 (California). Older, low-yield
vines produce very intense concentrated
fruit; 100% Cabernet sauvignon; aged al-
most two years in premium French oak bar-
rels; a very big wine, rich and chewy, with
dark fruit, tobacco and semi-sweet choco-
late fl avors. ($45)
+++++ (97) Alexander Valley Vine-
yards CYRUS 2010 (California). Done in
the meritage style (Cabernet sauvignon,
Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot and
Malbec); winemaker Kevin Hall uses only
eight very select barrel aged lots for his fi nal
cuvee; aged 12 month in French oak and
additional eight months aging in the bottle;
incredible. ($65)
+++++ (95) Daou Paso Robles Cabernet
Sauvignon 2012 (California). This full-bod-
ied wine displays black fruits, cassis, wild
herbs and ear thy notes with ripe, rich tan-
nins; grown at the highest elevation in Paso
Robles shows the great complexity of the
area. ($30)
+++++ (96) Nth Degree
Livermore Valley Cabernet
Sauvignon 2010 (Califor-
nia). Sourced from Wente's
best estate vineyard sites,
and meticulously "ultra
farmed," this is a rich, elegant blend of Cab-
ernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petite Verdot;
rich black cherry fl avors dominate, with a
subtle hint of mocha; seamless till the end
and very balanced through the fi nish; spec-
tacular. ($132)
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