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/51989
that is the standard of all great Lodi wines; the rich, ripe berry flavors are highlighted with a subtle hint of soft vanilla-oak. ($20) (92) Cline Big Break Zinfandel 2009 (California). For serious zinfandel fans, this wine is exceptionally big and bold; robust fruit and a firm tannic back- bone. ($25) (92) Ridge Lytton Springs Zinfandel 2008 (California). A pro- prietary red from Ridge that is largely about old vine zin, which comprises 74% of the wine; petite sirah and carignane (91) Moss Roxx Lodi Ancient Vine Zinfandel 2007 (California). The bouquet is quite complex, full of spice, perfume and leather, and then candied cherries and ground tea aromas pop in; medium-bodied, soft and smooth, and the palate is as complex as the bouquet, very flavorful and well balanced; the long finish highlights the darker end of the fruit spectrum. ($23) ripe plum rounded out with supple tannins and acidity; the texture coats your tongue with an elegance not often found in zinfandel. ($21) (91) Ghost Pines Winemaker's Blend Zinfandel 2009 (California). Although it could be labeled as a Sonoma County zin, the addition of fruit from San Joaquin adds depth and richness; lots of bright red fruit from the former location is augmented by the dark plum and berry notes the latter region brings; this wine will comple- ment any number of dishes; tasty, and a real bargain. ($20) from the estate make up the balance; compact nose revealing some red plum and raspberry; some of that on the palate that also has black cherry and some black fruits; very firm struc- ture with both acid and tannin; well balanced; have with meat stews and roasts. ($32) FOUR STARS (91) Brown Napa Valley Zinfandel 2009 (California). This wine is ripe and succulent combined with exotic spice; on the palate, bal- anced with deep, rich black fruit fla- vors and black pepper; a long finish completes this powerful wine. ($35) (91) Robert Biale Black Chicken Zinfandel 2009 (California). Nice brilliant, deep ruby color; silky tannins; bright blackberry, raspberry and juicy cherry fruit; tex- tural round mouthfeel, toasted nuts, allspice, dried herb, and a hint of five- spice. ($42) (91) Montoya Lodi Old Vine Zinfandel 2009 (California). This old vine zinfandel hails from vineyards in Lodi; soft, velvety and brimming with ripe berry fruit; deftly balanced and a great value. ($15) (91) Duckhorn Decoy Zinfandel 2007 (California). Beautiful red fruit with subtle spice expressions of an impressive zinfandel; full bodied and well balanced. ($20) (91) Rusina Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2007 (California). This Zinfandel is rich and concentrated with complex flavors of raspberry, black cherry spice and sweet vanilla jumping out of the glass; the tannins are silky and the wine has excellent structure. ($25) (91) Bella Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2008 (California). Aromas of intense dark fruit are coupled with delicious gin- gerbread spice notes; well-balanced and juicy with a hint of vanilla on the finish. ($25) (91) St. Amant Old Vine Lodi Zinfandel 2009 (California). This old vine zinfandel comes from the Mohr-Fry Ranch Vineyard in Lodi; big and ripe with spicy black- berry and raspberry flavors; the tan- nins are balanced and the finish is smooth. ($20) (91) Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel 2009 (California). Balanced with rich berry fruit and a hint of over- 34 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • January/February 2012 (91) Dei Feudi di San Gregorio Primitivo di Manduria 2008 (Italy). From one of Italy's lead- ing Primitivo producing regions, this wine shows all of the reasons why Zinfandel/Primitivo is so popular; cooler conditions of the area help keep the alcohol a degree or so lower, making this an elegant food friendly example of the variety. ($20) (91) Stama Winery Zany Zin Old Vine Zinfandel (California). More bright than dark, 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.