Beverage Dynamics

Beverage Dynamics Jan-Feb 2016

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.

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70 Beverage Dynamics • January/Februrary 2016 www.beveragedynamics.com WINE SELECTIONS • PINOT NOIR BEER SELECTIONS SELECTIONS R E TA I L E R IMPORT INVESTIGATION Our Beer Panel journeys into foreign brews. FOR OUR LATEST ROUND OF NATIONAL RETAILER BEER PANEL REVIEWS, we asked panelists to taste imported beers. These reviews include brief tasting notes and a rating. If you're a retail or off-premise professional who would like to learn more about participating in our panel, please contact Kyle Swartz at (203) 855-8499 ext. 2225 or kswartz@epgmediallc.com. (97) St-Ambroise Oatmeal Stout (Montreal, QC, Canada). The aroma and quickly dis- sipating head suggest a higher ABV than its actual 5%. Coats the mouth with a caramel butterscotch, coffee aftertaste. Very balanced sweetness/bitterness with 45 IBUs. Really captured the essence of a barrel-aged stout without the overpowering alcohol. A good nightcap after a long day. (95) Magners Pear Cider (Blumers, Ireland). 4.5% ABV. Clear with a slight golden tone, this cider looks a lot like a sparkling wine when poured. A sweet, pronounced pear fl avor that fi nishes dryer than a traditional apple cider. This little piece of Ireland will have you feeling right at home in your local tap room. (95) DAB Dortmunder (Dortmund,Germany). 5% ABV. A low fl oral hop aroma with a hint of sulfur that balances the nose. Clear as can be, with a medium golden color and a clean white head that dissipates rather quickly. A wonderful balance of fl owery hop fl avor and malty sweetness married together with a slight mineral taste and a clean lasting understated hop bitterness. Overall, a clean, crisp, medi- um-bodied German lager at a great price that seems to offer a little more fl avor than your usual mass-market brew. (92) Tiefenbrunner Turmhof Pinot Nero 2013 (Alto Adige, Italy). Famous for their Sauvi- gnon Blanc, Tiefenbrunner demonstrates their ability of produce world class red wines, with this Pinot Noir. Bright and spicy red fruit, good acidity, and structure showcase the wine's quality and class. ($28) (92) On Point, 2013 Pinot Noir Christina's Cuvee (Anderson Valley, CA). This lushly tex- tured pinot noir displays restrained nuances of mocha in the nose and palette, followed by rich fl avors of dark chocolate-covered cherries, cas- sis, earth and spice. Wispy hints of wood smoke appear in the lengthy fi nish. ($32) (92) Benovia (Russian River, CA). Low yield and small production help create this textbook Russian River pinot. Deep ruby color with a juicy berry nose and palate. Add some mineral notes and a bit of plum and enjoy this complex wine with roasted squab and wild rice. ($36.95) (92) Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013 (California). This single-vineyard pinot noir is well-structured with bright cherry, rasp- berry and strawberry fl avors that are followed with a touch of spice. The fi nish has supple tannins and excellent length. This estate grown Pinot is certifi ed sustainable. $23 (92) Kudos Pinot Noir Rsv Yamhill Carlton 2014 (Willamette Valley). A complex pinot noir that manages to combine both elegance and power in its savory fl avors of raspberry, dark fruit, cola and ear th; finely grained tannins and a balancing core of acidity provide a very well-structured fi nish. ($25) (92) Sonoma Cuvee Pinot Noir 2013 (Russian River Valley). Distinctively fragrant, with a smooth profi le and a pleasant texture. Aromas and fl avors of raspberry, cola, tea and delicate notes of vanilla. The cleansing, pure fi nish is focused and deliciously velvety. ($28) (92) Testarossa Pinot Noir Cuvee 107 2014 (Santa Lucia Highlands). A lively pinot noir that delivers expressive aromas and fl avors of cranberry, raspberry, vanilla and light notes of cedar. This wine shines with its richly textured mouthfeel that is skillfully balanced by the structured fi nish. ($25) (92) Ritual Pinot Noir 2014 (Casablanca Valley, Chile). Based on a collaboration between Agustin Huneeus and Paul Hobbs, this pinot noir reveals the potential for pro- ducing world-class wines in the Casablanca Valley. Red and black fruits, with hints of spice, contribute to the wine's appeal and complex- ity. An excellent value, as well as example of Chilean winemaking. ($20) (92) Wente Riva Ranch Pinot Noir, Arroyo Seco 2012 (Monterey, CA). From one of California's pioneering winemaking families, this elegant, cool-climate pinot noir exhibits refi nement, with the appropriate nose and palate. Spicy red and black fruit, good tannins and acidity. The wine has a long and well- balanced fi nish. ($30) (92) Astrolabe Pinot Noir 2013 (Marlbor- ough, New Zealand). A wonderful example of a New Zealand pinot noir. It possesses lots of great pinot character, with red fruit, and texture on the palate. Plenty of fl avor, with an underly- ing acidity and tannic backbone contribute to its complexity. ($28) (92) Artesa Pinot Noir 2013 (Carneros, Napa Valley, CA). Long known for their elegant wines, the Artesa pinot noir does not disappoint. With red and black fruit on the nose and palate, the wine has plenty of character and the fl avor profi le of a winning wine. A long and balanced fi nish contributes to its obvious level of quality. $25 (91) Robert Mondavi Winery Napa Valley Pinot Noir 2013 (Napa Valley, CA). From one of the grandmasters of Napa Valley winemaking, this is a textbook example of Napa Valley pinot noir. Good tannins, with a spicy dark fruit profi le, the wine enjoys the type of fl avors, texture and style many other wineries hope to attain. ($26) BD

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