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/565520
www.beveragedynamics.com September/October 2015 • Beverage Dynamics 61 the wine's fi rm tannins assure several years of rewarding development. This is a wonderful ex- ample of Graves Rouge. ($15) (95) Clos Pegase Mitsuko's Vineyard Merlot 2013 (Napa Valley, CA). A very dark ruby in the glass, the nose is fi lled with spiced black and red fruit, with a hint of smokiness. The wine is mouth fi lling, with lush dark fruit. The fi nish is long and balanced. ($35) (95) Shafer Merlot 2011 (Napa Valley, CA). This wine is a dense purple color, with spice, black cherries and black fruits on the nose. This mer- lot shines with amazing juicy and chewy fl avors of cherry pie and strawberry. Has an elegant mouthfeel that presents a lengthy, most-enjoy- able fi nish that begs to have another glass. ($60) (94) Markham Merlot 2012 (Napa Valley, CA). Dark fruit aroma. Cherry, plum and blackberry fl avors. Substantial tannins. Long fi nish ($23) (94) Miner Stagecoach Vineyard Merlot 2012 (Napa Valley, CA). Dark ruby in the glass, the nose is dominated by spicy dark fruit, with just a touch of smoke. The palate is an echo of the nose, with good weight and length. A great com- bination of power and elegance. ($40) (94) Neyers Merlot 2011 (Conn Valley, Napa Valley, CA). A deep garnet-red hue, alluring aro- mas of black cherry, mocha and caramel, lifted by a fl oral hint. Silky and lush in the mouth, with lovely aromatic perfume to the fl avors of cherry, raspberry, fl owers, cocoa and dusty spices. A nicely balanced, lovely merlot that fi nishes with a fi ne dusting of suave tannins and subtle per- sistence. This is what merlot should be! ($40) (93) Chelsea Goldschmidt Merlot 2013 (Alex- ander Valley, CA). Winemaker Nick Goldschmidt fi nds that terraced fruit ripens considerably later and brings more complexity and nuance to the fi nished wine. Stylistically, this is a cabernet drinker's merlot. Goldschmidt strives for full body and power in the mouth, with wood behind the fruit. The wine has fresh black raspberry, cedar and toasty vanilla aromas, with cherry, black currant and spice fl avors. ($19) (93) Markham Vineyards Merlot 2013 (Napa Valley, CA). Dark ruby in the glass, the nose is dominated by dark berry fruit, with a touch of plum. Hints of spice and chocolate contribute complexity. The wine is lush and full-bodied, with a balanced fi nish. ($25) (93) Hall Merlot 2012 (Napa Valley, CA). Deep and rich in color, this wine has aromas of cherry, violets and cocoa, leading to an elegant mid-pal- ate with fl avors of dark cherry, blackberries and some toasted oak. This is just a lovely, supple, soft merlot from one of Napa's best "new" vine- yards. ($37) (93) Chateau Ste. Michelle, Indian Wells Mer- lot 2012 (Columbia Valley, WA). Black fruit with spicy notes dominate the nose of this bright, yet full-bodied wine. Dark ruby in the glass, the palate is elegant, with excellent weight and fruit charac- teristics. Ready to accompany a wide range of dishes, this is a "go-to" meal wine. ($20) (93) Neyers, Neyers Ranch-Conn Valley 2012 (Napa Valley CA). This fabulous Merlot is farmed organically and fl aunts pure notes of boysenberry, cocoa and dusty minerality with great fl oral lift. Seamless and long on the palate, this is a real pleasure to drink. ($31) (93) St. Francis Reserve Merlot 2012 (Sonoma Valley, CA). Black and red fruit ex- plode from the glass, with hints of cocoa and spice. A very dark ruby, the wine has great fruit and weight in the mouth. The fi nish is extremely long, and balanced to the very end. ($40) (93) Columbia Crest H-3 (Washington). Out- standing wine and value. Rich with ripe red raspberry and dark chocolate. Long intense fi nish. An elegant mouthfeel full of luscious fl avors that keep on evolving. ($15) (92) Poliziano, "In Violas" Merlot 2011 (Cor- tona, Tuscany, Italy, Dalle Terra). Blackberry, black licorice, clay and earth tones with hints of cinnamon and leather. Juicy mid-palate with more sweet dark fruit on the fi nish. ($22) (92) Osso Anna Merlot 2012 (Napa Valley, CA). One of the most complex merlots you will taste. This wine has a lot of structure, and as it begins to break down, the luscious fruit starts to release. This merlot offers layers of fl avor K&L Wine Merchants Redwood City, CA Bryan Brick, Sales Consultant Legal Sea Foods Boston, MA Sandy Block VP, Beverage Operations Liquor Barn Louisville, KY Michael Sorg, Wine Manager Liquor Boy St. Louis Park, MN Peter Herlofsky III Wine Manager Maggie Wine Consulting Poughkeepsie, NY Maggie Gephard President Mainstreet Wines & Spirits Countryside, IL Nancy J. Sabatini Dir. Wine Ed. & Sales Malloy's Finest Wine & Spirits Naperville, IL Bruce Jaroski Wine Director Mills Fine Wine & Spirits Annapolis, MD Peter Finkelstein Wine Consultant North Ridge Wine Ellicott City, MD Brad Boarman Owner Prime Wines & Spirits Kenmore, NY Rick McLeod Wine Manager Premium Wine & Spirits Williamsville, NY Dave Cleveland General Manager Prestige Wine & Spirits Orchard Park, NY Jeff Vignaux General Manager Spec's Wine, Spirits and Finer Foods Houston, TX Hermen Key VP, Retail Development The Liquor Store & Wine Loft Jackson Hole, WY Nate Mylott Manager/Buyer The Little Nell Aspen, CO Timothy Baldwin Director, Food and Bev. Total Wine & More Claymont, DE Cristina Pearce Senior Buyer Towne Spirits and Fine Wine/Elite Beverages Noblesville & Indianapolis, IN Arnie Lewin Wine & Spirits Director Trig's Cellar 70 Minocqua, WI Dennis J. Kohl Beverage Consultant Vino 100 Michael A. Schaefer, CWE Dir., Business Development Willowbrook Spirit Shoppe Cromwell, CT Christopher Cambareri Owner The Wine Seller Ridgewood, NJ Don Carter Owner/Sommelier Yankee Discount Liquor East Haven, CT Deepak Pattani, Owner Yankee Wine Newtown, CT Steve Small General Manager MERLOT SALES SLIGHTLY DECLINE According to the Beverage Information & Insights Group's Wine Handbook, Merlot represented approximately 5% of table wine sales in the U.S. in 2014, decreasing from 6% in 2013. Last year, more than 17 million 9-liter cases of Merlot were sold in the U.S. For more wine data and analysis, visit www. albevresearch.com.