Beverage Dynamics

Beverage Dynamics - November/December 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.

Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/751263

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 47 of 74

48 Beverage Dynamics • November/December 2016 www.beveragedynamics.com WINE SELECTIONS • BEST OF 2016 vignon. A gorgeous representation of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. Elegant structure with rich and balanced fruit offers your pal- ate a dazzling experience of fl avors and tex- tures. The beauty is in the simplicity of the wine. ($93) (95) Domaine Filliatreau 2015 "Linnea" Saumur Blanc (Loire Valley). 100% Chenin Blanc from 25-year-old vines. Fermented and aged in stainless steel with a short maceration on the skins. Richly aromatic with nuances of under-ripe melon, pear and a wisp of anise. On the palate, those fl avors take over and linger through the fi nish along with bright, lively acid- ity and some great minerality. Totally dry, this simply gorgeous wine is a marvelous example of Loire Chenin Blanc. Pair with milder sea- food, cream sauces, or not-too-spicy Oriental cuisine. It's also the perfect aperitif! ($16.99) (95) Domaine Filliatreau 2014 Chateau Fou- quet Saumur Rouge (Loire Valley). 100% Cab- ernet Franc from grapes grown biodynamically in the Saumur village of Breze, then aged and fermented in stainless steel. Expressive fl oral and black fruit aromas combine with rich earth tones. Concentrated fl avors of blackberry and plum harmonize with fi rm tannins and a lovely hint of terroir. The fi nish is long with sweet/ tar t acidity melding nicely with tannins. De- cant for at least two hours and pair with roast pork, duck, lamb or game. Very enjoyable now, this wine will cellar beautifully for two-to-three years. ($19.99) (95) Domaine Filliatreau 2014 La Grande Vignolle Rouge Saumur-Champigny (Loire Valley). Upon decanting, aromas of lilac, red raspberry and cherry open with nuances of "stones" and chalk following. Tight at fi rst on the palate, the wine begins to show after about two hours. There are layers of concentrated red fruit, clove, licorice and "cigar box" leading to a lengthy fi nish with fi rm tannins taking over. All of this is surrounded by that wonderful stony nuance of the vineyard. After fi ve or more years in bottle, it will balance out into something truly special for any wine lover! ($22.99) (95) Domaine La Tour Vielle Collioure Puig Ambielle 2012. This Mouvedre-based red from the seaport town of Collioure is one of the values of the year for the price point. Booming with black fruit fl avors up front and a nice hint of spices, the powerful structure of this wine is perfectly balanced with the silkiest of tannins. Try it with some lamb and you will be in a place you never knew existed. ($26.99) (95) Matthiasson "Linda Vista" Chardon- nay 2014. This Chardonnay is at the fore- front of what Napa Chardonnay should be. The perfect balance of acidity to go with the apple, peach and honey fl avors that abound to a clean, mineral tinged fi nish. This wine will turn anyone who thinks they are against Chardonnay into a Chardonnay lover. To boot, being the price it is makes it the ultimate Chardonnay experience you will have this year. If you see a chance to get your hands on some be sure to jump at the oppor tunity, as this is normally a bit harder to fi nd in most markets. ($30.99) (95) Chara '15 Blend of Cataratta & Inzolia (Sicily). This wine won "Best White Wine" at Vin Italy this year, and little wonder. Great balance, luscious stone and citrus, along with perfect minerality and acid. You'd be hard pressed to fi nd a better one, especially for this price. ($13.95) (94) G. Descombes Morgon 2014. Cru Beaujo- lais is always in fashion, and the 2014 offering from Georges Descombes' Morgon plot is no different. This is the blockbuster of his Cru of- ferings, knocking the socks off of all of the Cru Beaujolais tasted this year. Bursting with fruit up front and enough structure to attract all red- wine drinkers, make this your wine of choice next time you aren't sure what to bring to that dinner party and impress all of your friends and family. ($21.99) (94) Chateau Ksara Cabernet Sauvignon 2012. Upon seeing, smelling and tasting this wine, fi nding out it is from Lebanon and not from California is an utter shock. Ripe red fruit highlight a wine with the fi rm tannins you expect from Cabernet and the long seductive fi nish you dream of and seldom get. Bring this Cabernet anywhere and impress the people you share it with. This is the best bottle of Cabernet Sauvi- gnon you will fi nd this year for under $25 and it's not even close. ($22.99) (94) Stags Leap Wine Cellars Artemis Caber- net Sauvignon 2013 (Napa Valley). Dark purple in color. Plum and cassis aromas. Flavors of blackberry, cherry and cassis. Substantial tan- nins with a long fi nish. ($57.99) (94) Lamadrid Malbec Reserva Agrelo 2013 (Argentina). Dark ruby red, this well-oaked Mal- bec is fruit-forward with notes of blackberries, plums, pepper and cloves. Medium-bodied, with polished tannins and cinnamon fl avors on the fi nish from the 12 months aging in fi rst-use French oak. An excellent paring with burgers, steak and chicken off the grill. This is a Caber- net-lover's Malbec! ($20) (94) Tenuta Santa Maria di Gaetano Bertani 2009 (Amarone Classico della Valpolicella, DOCG). A blend of 75% Corvina, 10% Rondi- nella, 15% Corvino made in the traditional ap- passimento method, the natural drying process of the grapes, shows a strong garnet color that leads you into cherry preserves, spices and a beautiful complexity of dried rose petals. The palate is well structured: balanced red fruits with a elegant fi nish complemented by velvety tannins. ($79.99) (94) Goldschmidt Vineyard Yoeman Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. This 100% Caber- net Sauvignon is the true meaning of big. Lots of big bold fruit and structure; you would be well advised to afford yourself and hour or so before diving into this delicious and full-fl avored mas- terpiece. ($70) (94) Daou Paso Robles Cabernet (California). Possibly the best bargain found this year. Move over pricey Bordeaux, you have a competitor! Affordable, quality Bordeaux blend. Rich, con- centrated; black raspberry, spice; uber-long fi n- ish. This gem could last another eight-to-then years. ($25) (94) St Supery Rutherford Merlot 2012 (Napa). A great single-vineyard Merlot. Deep shades of reds and purples, with aromas of ripe blackberry with notes of currant, anise and touch of graph- ite lead to fl avors of black plum and dark mocha. Fine texture, terrifi c length and structure. This is an excellent expression of this grape. ($52) (93) Rutherford Hill Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 (California). Beautifully balanced and fo- cused with mature cherry, blackberry, vanilla and plum fl avors that give way to a pleasant earthy edge. The lingering fi nish echoes cedar and herbal notes. ($40) BD

Articles in this issue

Links on this page

Archives of this issue

view archives of Beverage Dynamics - Beverage Dynamics - November/December 2016