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/599364
www.beveragedynamics.com November/December 2015 • Beverage Dynamics 77 THE BEST OF 2015 • FIVE STAR WINES the palate and fi nish with racy, crisp acidity. A perfect warm-weather aperitif. ($11) (95) Domaine du Tariquet Rosé 2014 (France). A neat blend of 30% merlot, 30% cabernet franc, 15% tannat and 25% syrah. Hints of pomegran- ate, cherry and raspberry tantalize the nose and show up on the palate with a bit of ginger and pear. The mouthfeel is rather delicate, but in- triguing. The fi nish is clean, refreshing and very satisfying. An elegant, delicious wine. ($13) (95) Domaine Saint Antoine Rosé 2014 (France). This is 100% syrah—and it shows. The wine's color is cherry red. There's a fl oral bouquet with notes of rose petal followed by cherry and red currant. Those fruit fl avors con- tinue on the palate with hints of spice and miner- ality. The fi nish is long, lively, and lip-smacking, with just a bit of sweet fruit. Pair this with grilled salmon. ($11) (95) Guilhem Moulin De Gassac Rosé 2014 (France). A blend of 50% grenache and 50% carignan from 25- to 50-year-old vines grown on stony soils. The color is pretty—a pale carnation pink. Nuances of peach, strawberry, wildfl ower and fl int all harmonize on the nose. Flavors of not-quite-ripe raspberry, apricot and peach delight the palate and fi nish with crisp sweet/tart acidity balanced with a hint of miner- ality. A terrifi c thirst quencher. ($12) (93) Domaine Le Pive Gris Vin Rosé 2014 (France). Don't be fooled by the tropical fruit in the nose. This pale-pink wine, featuring four grapes (merlot, grenache noir, grenache gris, cabernet franc), is actually a dry, light blend. Perfect for enjoying outdoors on a sum- mer's eve. ($15) (93) Gruet Sparkling Brut Rosé NV (New Mex- ico). Always a favorite; fresh, dry and rich with hints of strawberries, raspberries and cherry; consistent quality. Great with ham, Indian food and appetizers. ($17) Cabernet Sauvignon (96) Gallo Estate Northern Sonoma Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (Sonoma, CA). A dense ruby purple, the nose is dominated by lovely black berry and plum fruit, with just a hint of toasted oak. Solid on the palate, balanced by its acid- ity. A brilliant example of restraint and power in the bottle. Wonderful now, but capable of aging. ($95) (96) Shypoke 2012 Calistoga (Napa Valley, CA). An aromatic, powerful, yet elegant caber- net aged in French oak. You'll swoon over the ménage of blackberries and cassis. This impec- cable cab is simply delicious and worth every penny. ($55) (96) Stewart Cellars Napa (California). Enjoy the work of Paul Hobbs at less money. Cel- lar-wor thy choice. Rich and plush with even tannins. Deep, dark and brooding with a long fi nish. ($65) (95) Brandlin Cabernet Sauvignon Mount Veeder 2011 (Napa Valley, CA). A blend of 85% cabernet sauvignon, 9% petit verdot, 6% cabernet franc, aged 22 months in French barriques, 50% new. A wine of amazing depth. Aromas of currant, plum and blackberry min- gle with fl oral nuances and a subtle earthiness. Rich, round black fruit fl avors coat the palate with lovely sweet/tart acidity. Hints of smoke, spice and terroir follow. Tannins are supple and in perfect balance, with all components on the lengthy fi nish. ($65) (95) J. McClelland Cabernet Sauvignon Oak Knoll District 2012 (Napa Valley, CA). A blend of 86% cabernet sauvignon, 10% merlot, 4% petit verdot, barrel-aged for 20 to 24 months. This is an elegant wine, reminiscent of a good Saint-Julien. Distinctive cabernet sauvignon aro- 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 New Hampshire Liquor Commission Nicole Brassard Jordan Wine Marketing & Sales Specialist 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 ★★★★★ (95) Alexander Valley Vine- yards Dry Rosé 2014 (California). A lovely pink/salmon color greets the eye. Aromas of strawberry and watermelon with a hint of lilac lead to rich fl avors of wildberry, melon and mandarin. Around all is a wisp of sweet mint. The fi nish is long and zesty with a touch of Alexander Valley "terroir." Try this with pasta Alfredo. ($15)