Beverage Dynamics

Beverage Dynamics Nov-Dec 2014

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.

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46 Beverage Dynamics • November/December 2014 www.beveragedynamics.com THE BEST OF 2014 F I V E STA R W I N E S (98) Sonoma-Loeb Envoy Carneros Chardonnay 2012 (California). Sourced from the famed Sangiacomo Vineyards with the best clones, this is a rich elegant Burgundian-styled wine with beautiful tropical fruits, rich butter and caramel fl avors, and toasted oak; save this for that special dinner. ($55) (97) Buccella Napa Valley Cabernet 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) (97) Alexander Valley Vineyards 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 an additional eight months aging in the bottle; incredible. ($65) (97) J.Lohr Hilltop Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (California). A beautiful, harmonious blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, 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) (97) Duckhorn Napa Chardonnay 2012 (California). This is the 35 vintage year, and The Beverage Dynamics National Retailer Wine Panel's top recommendations from the past year. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, we asked our retailer wine panel to review zinfandels, chardonnays, pinot noirs, summer white wines and cabernet sauvignons. For this issue, we've compiled the top wine reviews from 2014 — wines in those categories that scored at least 94. 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 Editor Jeremy Nedelka at 203-855-8499 x213 or email him at jnedelka@specialtyim.com. this wine refl ects the very best of Napa; sourced from 11 different vineyard sites, it showcases a wide variety of fl avor components, including melon, pineapple, and peaches; beautifully regimented barrel aging program adds rich, complex textures to balanced acidity; long lingering fi nish. ($53) (97) Joseph Drouhin Nuits-Saint-Georges Damodes 1er Cru 2011 (France). From one of the most established and respected houses in Burgundy, this Premier Cru Burgundy wine exudes class and elegance; brilliant ruby in the glass; complex nose, with hints of red fruit, berries, along with subtle spicy notes; on the palate, the elegance continues with tastes that echo the nose, along with a bright edge. ($111) (97) Scott Family Estate Arroyo Secco Chardonnay 2012 (California). All estate grown fruit from Arroyo Secco area in the Monterey AVA; intense, rich, concentrated viscous fruit; Dijon clones offer fresh notes of vanilla, pear and orange zest; butterscotch fl avors at the fi nish after waves of tropical fruit; great long lingering fi nish; over-delivers for the money. ($36) (97) Frank Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2012 (California). Classic new-world style; fruit forward, rich creaminess, long fi nish; very balanced; Carneros fruit over-delivers; fl oral notes of honeysuckle and fresh bread dough; tropical fruit fl avors dominate. ($48) (96) Nth Degree Livermore Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (California). Sourced from Wente's vineyard sites, and meticulously "ultra farmed," this is a rich, elegant blend of Cabernet 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; spectacular. ($132) (96) Cade Winery Howell Mountain Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (California). This 100 % estate grown Cabernet is loaded with aromas blueberry, blackberry and plums; big, bold and elegant; the fi nish 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) (96) Joseph Jewell Russian River Sonoma Pinot Noir 2011 (California). Very elegant wine from this young winery (established 2006); beautiful red hues, strong cherry notes, with a very light touch of oak; black tea and baking spice aromas dominate the nose; perfect wine for the late spring and early summer months. ($60)

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