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/446939
44 Beverage Dynamics • January/February 2015 www.beveragedynamics.com WINE SELECTIONS • MALBECS (95) Luigi Bosca Malbec 2011 (Argentina). Intense with sweet tannins, ripe red fruits, cassis and black pepper tones. Pure and full- bodied. This bold gem pairs nicely with braised short ribs, stews and game. ($17) (94) Achavel Ferrer Finca Bella Vista 2010. Move over Bordeaux - this is a keeper! Brooding, dark and powerful with ripe tannins, elegant minerality and dark chocolate. Fine example of a collectible cellar wine. ($100) (93) Altamira de los Andes, Reserve Malbec 2009 (Argentina). High altitude Malbec sourced from three of the best growing areas in the Uco valley. Aged 18 months in oak, this wine has beautiful violet color in the glass, with intense aromas of cherry and vanilla, with just a hint of dark chocolate. A formidable classic Malbec. ($45) (93) Achaval Ferrer Malbec 2012 (Argentina). Full, bright ruby-red. Porty, yet high-pitched aromas of blackberry, kirsch, blueberry and violet are complicated by balsamic and black olive nuances. Dense, thick and superripe but still with noteworthy clarity to its dark fruit and fresh fi g fl avors. A nutty oak element is leavened by insinuating acidity. Ultimately displays a very attractive sugar/acid balance and fi nishes with good lift. ($31) (93) Vina Cobos Felino Malbec 2012 (Argentina). Felino Malbec carries a deep magenta hue and aromas of dark berries and anise. On the palate, intense, pure fl avors of just-picked raspberries, black plum and graphite unfold in velvety layers. Exotic notes of ginger and white pepper carry through the mid-palate to intermingle with fi rm tannins and notes of cedar on the fi nish. ($21) (92) Vina Solaya Malbec 2013 (Argentina). Dark ruby red, this elegant Malbec has aromas of red currants, blackberries, and plums, with notes of pepper and clove. Flavors of black cherries and juicy plums fi ll the mouth with hints of cedar and vanilla on the fi nish. ($15) (92) Salentein Numina 2012 (Argentina). A Bordeaux blend from Argentina's Uco Valley that is 62% Malbec, smooth and elegant with fine tannins, complex black fruit notes and a long finish that would indicate ageability. ($43) (92) Mascota Vineyards Malbec ROD (Argentina) - A deep, savory Malbec with a core of dark plum and spice box; the fl avors intermingle effortlessly with just the right amount of oak; fi nishes with a pleasurable, silky texture. ($14) (92) Colome Malbec 2012 (Argentina). This is defi nitely the whole milk of Malbec, with some of the highest elevation fruit on the planet, the grapes have a rich concentration of fl avors which show dramatically thru every sip. Savor this Malbec with a grilled steak or simply after dinner by a fi re on a cold winter night. ($28) (92) Layer Cake Malbec 2012 (Argentina). A classic Malbec. Big, brooding, black fruit, then rich earth, truffl es and dark cocoa are at the front. The vineyard is at its core, always evident with the thread of minerality that the deep alluvial cobblestones lend. This wine is so elegant in the mouth with fresh-picked blackberries, hints of chocolate and wisps of smoked bacon. ($17) (92) Altos Las Hormigas Malbec Reserve 2011. Concentrated cassis, peppercorn and blueberry with a touch of mocha on the fi nish. Medium bodied structure can handle a good steak. ($25) FOUR STARS (91) Nieto Camilla Malbec 2014 (Argentina). This hedonistic style Malbec is fruit forward with attractive notes of ripe red cherries and cola. Full body, with fi rm and polished tannins and a long beautiful fi nish. An excellent paring with burgers, steak and chicken off the grill. ($15) 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 Beverage Alcohol Consultants Windsor, CA Larry LaScola General Manager 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 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 K&L Wine Merchants Redwood City, CA Bryan Brick Sales Consultant