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/73671
(91) Wente Sandstone Merlot 2009 (California). A nice, elegant, well-balanced merlot with polished flavors of black cherry, cassis and plum that showcase Karl Wente's winemaking skills as well as his man- agement of the fruit coming out of the Livermore Valley; a great value. ($11) (90) Folie a Deux Sonoma County Merlot 2010 (California). A merlot that doesn't let you down; lots of big black cherry fruit and lay- ers of accents flavors like vanilla; the tannin and acidity are firm allowing this wine to be enjoyed over time. ($15) (90) Bridgman Merlot 2008 (Washington State). Ripe with good acidity to balance out the sweet cherry and black plum flavors; exotic spice notes that linger throughout; good structure, nice finish of firm tannins. ($15) (90) Ghost Pines Sonoma & Napa Merlot 2009 (California). A blend of fruit from Sonoma and ABC Fine Wines & Spirits Orlando, FL Brad Lewis, Director of Wine Sales Director/Sommelier Andina Restaurant/ Pearl Wine Shop Portland, OR Ken Collura Artisan Selections Hockessin, DE John Driscoll Sales Manager Back Bay Restaurant Group Boston, MA David Alphonse Beverage Director Katie Harper, Wine Sales Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits Annapolis, MD Phil Altherr, GM Berbiglia Wine & Spirits Kansas City, MO Ralph J. Bondon Vice President/Owner Beverages & more! Concord, CA Wilfred Wong E-Commerce Cellar Master Bottle Bargains Northport, NY Ryan Armstrong Store Manager Bottle King Liquors Livingston, NJ Steve Carpentier General Manager Bowery & Vine Wine & Spirits New York, NY Bill Beard, Manager Retail Fine Wine Buyer Brown Derby Stores Springfield, MO John Riley Bullfrog Wine and Spirits Fort Collins, CO Chuck Carlson GM, Certified Sommelier Cornwall Wine & Spirits Cornwall, NY Kenn Brodmerkel, Owner Cotuit Liquors Marston Mills, MA Dan O'Brien, President Napa; Napa lends structure and Sonoma adds berry fruit; French oak lends coffee and chocolate notes. ($19) (90) Abbeyville Napa Valley Merlot 2010 (California). Napa Valley at a reasonable price; a seductive aroma; full flavors of cassis and a hint of cocoa with a long finish. ($11) (90) Mercer Columbia Valley Merlot 2008 (Washington State). A cabernet drinker's merlot; dry, soft tannins, nice complexity and a long finish. ($20) (90) Katnook Estate Coonawarra, Founder's Estate Merlot 2008 (Australia). Earthy truffle notes open the bouquet, and then ripe plum moves in to add some further dimension; full-bodied and quite ripe but there is enough acidity to sharpen things up and enhance the definition across the palate. ($20) (90) Chateau Ste Michelle Indian Wells Merlot 2009 NATIONAL RETAILER WINE PANEL Crestwood Liquors Coventry, RI Matthew A. Reay VP Marketing/ Merchandising Jack Mantle, Wine Dept. Frugal MacDoogal's Nashville, TN Manager/Wine Buyer The Grog Shop Huntington, NY Rob Wand Hamilton Beverage/ United Package Liquors Indianapolis, IN Arnie Lewin Manager/Wine Buyer Happy Harry's Bottle Shop Grand Forks, ND Dustin Mitzel General Manager Minnetonka, MN Daniel A. Manning President Haskell's Manager, Wine Buyer Holiday Wine Cellar Escondido, CA Jim Kern Hy Vee Wine & Spirits Milan, IL Wine & Spirits Manager Charles Gibson K&L Wine Merchants Redwood City, CA Bryan Brick Sales Consultant Liquor Barn Louisville, KY Michael Sorg Wine Manager Vice President/General Manager Wine Cellars Hyde Park, NY Maggie Gephard Liquorama Malloy's Finest Wine & Spirits Lisle, IL Bob Lechowicz Wine Director Mills Fine Wine & Spirits Annapolis, MD Peter Finkelstein Wine Consultant North Ridge Wine Ellicott City, MD Brad Boarman Owner 40 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • July/August 2012 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 Collin A. Williams Wine Buyer Wine & Spirits Director Shaw's Crab House Chicago, IL Steve Tindle Stew Leonard's Wines Farmingdale, NY Jerry Martellaro Manager/Wine Buyer Matt Swingos, Owner Swingos on the Lake Lakewood, OH Trig's Cellar 70 Minocqua, WI Dennis J. Kohl Beverage Consultant Total Wine & More Claymont, DE Christina Pearce Senior Buyer Wine Director/Asst. General Manager San Francisco, CA Adam Betts Urban Tavern The Waverly Inn New York City, NY Erin Fitzpatrick Christopher Cambareri Owner Willowbrook Spirit Shoppe Cromwell, CT General Manager Yankee Wine Newton, CT Steve Small (Washington State). Ripe and jammy aromas lead to well-rounded, full- bodied merlot; soft, lingering finish. ($19) (90) Joseph Carr Napa Valley Merlot 2009 (California). Ripe, boisterous and brambly in the nose, this also displays some herbal undertones leading off until ripe black fruit notes emerge; medium bodied, it is ripe yet dry, and there is a nice tan- nic edge lending structure and bal- ance; plenty of fruit, even if it seems a bit understated, and good balance. ($19) (90) Long Board Dakine Vineyard Merlot 2008 (California). The Dakine Vineyard merlot has very ripe fruit and soft rich tannins which produce a well balanced merlot full of texture. ($25) (90) Benziger Merlot 2009 (California). The sustainable farming at Benziger showcases the merlot; great fruit up front with a velvety tex- ture in a rich finish. ($15)