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/421848
48 Beverage Dynamics • November/December 2014 www.beveragedynamics.com FIVE STAR WINES • THE BEST OF 2014 (95) Migration Russian River Chardonnay 2012 (California). This wine is sourced from 11 vineyards in the Russian River Valley; rich fruit notes of pineapple, peach, orange and nectarine are complemented by aromas of allspice and sweet vanilla. ($48) (95) Miner Gary's Vineyard Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2011 (California). A bouquet of wildfl owers and red raspberry lead to a viscous texture on the palate with fl avors of red fruit, cherry, coffee, and spice; supple tannins with a nuance of toasty oak balance the whole. ($70) (95) Paul Hobbs Russian River Pinot Noir 2012 (California). Exceptional deep color; aromas of black raspberries and cassis; full-bodied, silky texture; cellar worthy for at least fi ve years. ($60) (95) Loveblock Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011 (New Zealand). A bright ruby red color; complex aromas include cherry, strawberry, violets, mushrooms and herbs; on the palate, a rush of sweet/tart berry fl avors meld with lightly toasted oak, truffl es and a hint of earthiness. Firm tannins linger on the fi nish suggesting some cellar time would be most rewarding. ($35) (95) Hartford Court Jolene's Vineyard Russian River Valley Zinfandel 2011 (California). A stunning zinfandel from 100+ year-old vines; shows near perfect balance between fruit, tannins and acids. ($60) (95) Outpost Howell Mountain Zinfandel 2011 (California). Full-bodied with loads of ripe fruit; blackberry jam, wild berry and black cherry fl avors fi ll the palate and lead way to a robust, spicy fi nish, with a hint of crack pepper. ($50) (95) Brown Chaos Theory Napa Red Blend 2009 (California). Blockbuster blending of Cab/ Zin (60/40% for this vintage); all estate-grown fruit from the Brown family, who started farming over 30 years ago in Napa; bold, balanced, great concentration of fl avors; black peppercorns, wild blackberries, black cherries; richly textured; the fi nish is long and lingering. ($69) (94) Rodney Strong Alexander's Crown Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (California). Juicy cab with smooth tannins and deep layers of oak, black fruit and mocha; high alcohol makes a bit hot; decant to enjoy the complexity or cellar. ($60) (94) Rutherford Ranch Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (California). An intriguing blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec; aged 14 months in oak; rich and chewy, with dark chocolate, vanilla and black fruit fl avors; very subtle fi nish; an elegant wine at a great price point. ($30) (94) Wente Charles Wetmore Livermore Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (California). This estate vineyard is named for the gentleman who helped develop the area in the late 1800s by cutting from some of the best vineyards in Bordeaux; in that same style, this Cabernet Sauvignon has small amounts of Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Merlot added for intense complexity; aged 14 months in French and American oak; over-delivers in terms of value and quality. ($36) (94) Frisson Vineyards Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (California). A classic Napa Valley Cabernet; very balanced, with dark rich fruit, and a nutty hint of dark chocolate; restrained tannins, and a moderate alcohol level make for an elegant wine. ($75) (94) Smith & Hook Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (California). This wine pairs a vibrant purple NATIONAL RETAILER WINE PANEL ABC Fine Wines & Spirits Orlando, FL Brad Lewis, Director of Wine Sales Andina Restaurant/ Pearl Wine Shop Portland, OR Ken Collura Director/Sommelier 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" Bottle Bargains Northport, NY Ryan Armstrong Store Manager Bottle King Liquors Livingston, NJ Steve Carpentier General Manager Bowery & Vine Wine & Spirits New York, NY Bill Beard, Manager Brown Derby Stores Springfi eld, MO John Riley Retail Fine Wine Buyer BTG Wine Bar Salt Lake City, UT Louis Koppel Sommelier Bullfrog Wine and Spirits Fort Collins, CO Chuck Carlson GM, Certifi ed Sommelier Cordially Yours Wine and Spirits Depew, NY Jeannine Babcock Director Wine & Spirits Cotuit Liquors Marston Mills, MA Dan O'Brien, President Crestwood Liquors Coventry, RI Matthew A. Reay VP Marketing/ Merchandising Flute New York, NY Herve Rousseau Owner Frugal MacDoogal's Nashville, TN Jack Mantle, Wine Dept. Happy Harry's Bottle Shop Grand Forks, ND Dustin Mitzel General Manager Haskell's Minnetonka, MN Ted Farrell President Holiday Wine Cellar Escondido, CA Jim Kern Manager, Wine Buyer Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits Silvis, IL Kevin Miller Wine & Spirits Manager +++++ (95) Alexander Valley Vineyards Sonoma Chardonnay 2012 (California). Estate grown, night harvested; interesting approach to blending stainless steel with no malolactic fruit with whole cluster fruit, aged in French oak with malolactic fermentation; rich mouth feel, very balanced, good acidity; toasted oak, rich butterscotch and tropical fruit fl avors blend harmoniously. ($18)