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/41523
(93) Domaine Serene Willamette Select Pinot Noir 2007 (Oregon). Notes of cinnamon and spice round out flavors of red and dark fruits; plum, raspberry, blue- berry and cranberry; medium-bodied with a velvety texture on the palate; soft tannins add to the depth and personality of this wine. ($30) (93) J. Lohr Falcon's Perch Pinot Noir 2009 (California). Soft berry flavors and aromas, but has just the right amount of tannins to stand up to the most delcious of meals; the velvet texture leaves a wonderful finish. ($17) (93) Rippon Mature Vine Lake Wanaka Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008 (New Zealand). Rippon is one of New Zealand's true wine treasures; the wine is fruit forward with cooked strawberries and sweet spice; hints of licorice and herbs finish it off. ($40 (92) Bergstrom Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 RATING 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. TWO STARS (70-79) An average wine. ONE STAR (50-69) A below-average wine. (Oregon). A very classy Oregon red; smooth and rich with nicely integrated cherry and vanilla notes; should open up nicely with a little more time. ($53) (92) Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir 2008 (Oregon). Delicate and nuanced; black cherry, spice and a plenty of acidity make this worthy of cellaring and one of Oregon's finest. ($45) (92) Rodney Strong Russian River Estate Pinot Noir 2009 (California). Red fruit and earthy aromas lead to a wild strawberry and bing cherry mid-palette; sur-lies barrel maturation soften the tannins to create a silky, long finish. ($22) (92) Rodney Strong Reserve Pinot Noir 2008 (California). Dominated by raspberry and blackberries, the Russian River fruit in this wine is nearly irresistible. ($35) (92) Irony Russian River Pinot Noir 2009 (California). Nice depth, richness and concentration; almost Syrah-like in color, this wine has many layers of fruit as soon as it hits the palate; black cherry, blackberry, strawberry and raspberry flavors are 56 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • September/October 2011 (93) Archery Summit Premier Cuvee Pinot Noir 2008 (Oregon). Intense aromas of ripe blackberries and blueberries; a complex wine of many layers, it delivers flavors of dark cherry, blueberries combined with hints of dark chocolate, ginger and peat; a beautiful, lengthy finish confirms this wine will improve with some aging. ($50) followed by a hint of cola and vanilla on a spicy finish; kudos to Delicato as it is not easy to find a Russian River Pinot Noir of this quality at such an affordable price. ($21) (92) Vylyan Villanyí Pinot Noir 2006 (Hungary). This is an amazing example from the best red wine region in Hungary, the Villanyi Hills; the wine is full of strawberries and raspberries with notes of mushrooms and forest floor; a strong finish with lingering flavors of vanilla and chocolate; good value. ($19) (92) Hartford Court Land's Edge Vineyard Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2007 (California). Deep and complex in the nose, more Burgundian on the palate with subtle and elegant nuance and long flowing flavors that carry through from first sip to last swallow. ($25) (92) Domaine Alain Gras St. Romaine Rouge 2009 (France). Balanced fruit, tannin and spice; a pleasure with a simple roast chicken; silky long finish; drink within the next 5 years. ($32) (92) Scene 17 Pinot Noir 2009 (New Zealand). Truly a com- plex pinot from the other side of the world; starts with earthy tones of blueberry and leads to dark cassis; fin- ishes long with a touch of oak. ($25) (92) Pierre Labet Bourgogne Pinot Noir VV 2009 (France). Delicate flavors of red cherry, spice, and subtle cocoa notes are complemented by an elegant palate. The acidity is perfectly bal- anced with a soft, long finish. ($20) (92) Adastra Carneros Pinot Noir 2008 (California). Ripe raspberry, cranberry and plum on the palate; earthy notes round out this