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/47881
(91) Chateau Ste. Michelle & Dr. Loosen Eroica Riesling 2010 (Washington State). The Eroica project, pairing one of the country's top Riesling producing regions, and one of the world's top Riesling producers, has been a consistent high- quality wine for the past decade, including this 2010 vintage; complex citrus notes dominate the nose, and the bright balanced fruit reveals complex layers of fruit and minerality; works as an aperitif, or with any number of seafood and chicken dishes. ($20) Piedmont D.O.C.G 2010 (Italy). If you plan on hav- ing chocolate to finish a holiday meal, there are few better choices to pair it with than this lower (7%) alcohol, fruit-driven sparkler; fermenting and aging in steel preserve the lovely fruit, and the bubbles add to the lively bright fruit and spice mix. ($20) (91) The Pinot Project 2009 (California). Smooth and inviting blend of Pinot Noir sourced from Sonoma, Carneros and Russian River; inviting, smooth and easy ripe red raspberry and cherry with just the right touch of spice on the finish; great with a good roast chicken. ($13) (91) Fidelity Alexander Valley Red 2009 (California). An amazing blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from Alexander Valley; has a softness and weight that seems more like Chateauneuf-du-Pape than Cotes du Rhone, and a level of fruit extract and richness that is impressive; it approaches "fruit bomb" intensity, but displays enough tannin and restraint to keep it nicely in check; a great value. ($12) (91) Katnook Estate Coonawarra, Founder's Estate Riesling 2009 (Australia). The bouquet is lovely, very German in style, with nut oil and slight mineral notes leading off, followed by mild aromas of exotic fruits; smooth and round, complex and balanced, and it has a middle-weight finish. ($18) (91) Koehler Santa Ynez Chardonnay 2009 (California). Rich in citrus and tropical aromas with a dry and crisp finish; very Chablis in style; great with shellfish and vegetarian casseroles. ($17) (91) Vigne Regali Rosa Regale Brachetto d'Acqui drinks bigger than wines twice its price; rich and inky with a strong backbone of tannin. ($13) (91) Chateau Chevalier Spring Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (California). Nice notes of blueberry, cassis, coffee and spice flavors; supple texture and mineral tones fold into the well- structured tannins. ($25) (91) Poliziano Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, D.O.C.G 2007 (Italy). From a great Tuscan vintage, and an outstanding producer, this delicious example of Sangiovese at its best exhibits very dark ruby to the eye, ripe black fruits notes on the nose, echoed on the rich, full bodied palate; perfect match for your holiday beef or lamb, it will shine its brightest after an hour or so after being decanted. ($30) (90) Charles de Frere Reserve Blanc de Blancs Brut (France). Excellent affordable French 40 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • November/December 2011 sparkler for any occasion – smooth and subtle with a long apple-like finish. ($11) (90) Vina Zaco Tempranillo 2007 (Spain). Very nice flavors of black cherry, cocoa, and spice merry together to form a medi- um body, full intensity wine; excellent finish, this wine will go with an assortment of meat dishes. ($13) (90) Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noir NV (California). Made from 100% Pinot Noir; cherry fruit, citrus, and a toasty component give this wine complexity; easy to drink with beautiful acidity and fruit flavor mix. ($16) (90) Courtney Benham Mt Veeder Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (California). Dark ruby, almost purple color reveals characteristics of black- berry and currant and touches of mineral and vanillin; rich and chewy tannins; medium to full body. ($20) (90) Bagrationi 1882 Brut Reserve 2007 (Georgia). Not the Georgia of CNN and peaches; this wine is a blend of the Chinebuli, Mtsvane, and Tsitska grape varieties; produced in the traditional method, just as are other high-end sparkling wines, the nose of tree fruits is accented by a toasty note; dry enough to demon- strate elegance, but with enough fruit to make it a very pleasurable glass of bubbly. ($26) (90) Don Miguel Gascón Mendoza Malbec 2010 (Argentina). This Malbec demonstrates that a great wine can also be a great value; the dark berry fruits on the nose have a hint of spice contributed by the oak, with a rich echo on the palate; plenty of fruit; not high in alcohol, and dry enough to match the meats and cheeses you lay out to entertain your guests; great match for holiday beef. ($15) (90) Kellerei-Cantina Andrian Alto Adige Lagrein 2007 (Italy). From the extreme north of Italy, and from vineyards more than 800 feet in altitude, the Lagrein grape variety is elegant and with a subtle