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: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/215070
#### (90) Courtney Benham Santa Barbara Chardonnay 2012 (California). Full-bodied and creamy with well-integrated oak; this Chardonnay really stands out for its interesting flavors of guava, fig, melon, and brioche; a rich finish makes this wine even more exciting. ($15) #### (90) The Federalist Dueling Pistols 2009 (California). A beautiful blend of zinfandel and syrah; bright cherry aromas with fruit flavors; full bodied and very drinkable. ($45) #### (90) Franciscan Magnificat 2010 (California). This Meritage is elegant and well structured, featuring cherry notes, soft tannins and a long, beautiful finish. ($50) #### (90) Anne Aimee Cuvee A White 2012 (Oregon). Anne Amie throws pretty much every white varietal into this wine and it is pretty much irresistible; very fruit forward with a touch of sweetness. ($15) #### (90) Grand Chatelain Reserve Malbec Cahors N.V. (France). Made from 100% Malbec, but referred to as Cot in this appellation; multi-vineyard site selection, combined with blending from select vintages; mature vines give it deep ruby color; restrained black fruit and a toasty finish; great harmony between fruit and barrel; this is the darker, earthier side of malbec, from its original source in France. ($20) #### (90) Bayonette Cotes du Roussillon-Villages 2011 (France). Composed of 60% grenache, 30% carignan, 10% syrah; definitely approaching fruit-bomb status in the nose, this wine's bouquet is effusive and bright with ripe berry aromas, a lovely menthol/mint nuance and a touch of oak; muscular on the palate, intense and still pretty tannic, but with opulent fruit structure; rich, but not overblown, and will only get better. ($15) #### (90) Fisticuffs Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (California). Earthy and spicy in the nose, it shows off a lovely oak frame to ripe currant aromas tinted with herbs; medium-full, round and well balanced; the slightly lower acid makes it easy to drink on its own. ($30) #### (90) Butternut Chardonnay 2011 (California). A wonderfully rich Chardonnay with flavors of butter, caramel and vibrant pops of granny smith apple and tropical fruit; match with a savory turkey dinner. ($18) #### (90) Mazzocco Dry Creek Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (California). Surprisingly powerful; loaded with flavor and a fine value from Sonoma's Dry Creek Valley. ($23) #### (90) Cristalino Cava Brut Rose (Spain). Bright and refreshing; clean and crisp with hints of wild strawberry; affordable, perfect party popper. ($8) #### (90) Girasole Vineyards Pinot Noir 2011 (California). This organic Pinot Noir has aromas of ripe cherries and strawberries; flavors of cherry and great balance leads to a great finish. ($16) #### (89) Ferrari Carano Sonoma County Chardonnay 2011 (California). Apple aroma; apple, pear and citrus flavors; medium to long finish. ($19) #### (89) Conundrum Red 2011 (California). An expressive red blend with tons of fruit and bright acidity; the rich velvety mouth feel is complemented by pops of sweetness on top of a foundation big fruit; great holiday cocktail wine. ($20) #### (89) Grady Family Pinot Noir 2011 (California). Dr. Grady has created a light, but very tasty pinot noir in Lodi from clones from the hottest area of Burgundy; flavors of strawberries, raspberries and a light vanilla finish. ($19) #### (89) Cloud Break Arroyo Seco Reserve Chardonnay 2012 (California). Round and supple with a palate-saturating richness that delivers plenty of melon, pineapple, 36 • Beverage Dynamics • www.beveragedynamics.com • November/December 2013 coconut, and cream; there is a wonderful intensity in the finish that really over-delivers. ($15) #### (89) Maggio Old Vine Zinfandel 2011 (California). This Lodi zinfandel has notes of chocolate and raspberry jam; soft and balanced leading to a spicy lingering finish. ($11) #### (88) Hanna Russian River Sauvignon Blanc 2012 (California). Grassy, citrus aroma; citrus and green apple flavors; nice, medium-length finish. ($18) #### (88) La Pistola Red N.V. (Washington State). Washington's wine answer to garage-style blends; Intriguing blend of merlot, cabernet and cab franc; organic grapes, sustainably grown. ($18) #### (88) Valdo Prosecco (Italy). The perfect sparkler for toasting, Mimosas and Bellinis; a DOC designation; tasty and quite a bargain. ($11) #### (88) Finca del Castillo Tempranillo 2011 La Mancha (Spain). The bouquet is medium-full and earthy but also shows off some tea leaf, cedar and pepper notes before ripe black fruit aromas emerge; dry and a bit tart on the entry, it has firm acidity up front that soon fades, letting rich black cherry and black raspberry flavors pull forward; still plenty of tannin, but nothing overdone, and if anything marks this it is likely to get even better; great value. ($8) #### (88) Domaine Grand Veneur Cotes du Rhone Rose 2012 (France). Opens with a juicy bouquet of freshly picked strawberries and cherries with a lilt of vanillin in the background; medium bodied, crisp and a touch tart up front, but it softens nicely and gains depth across the palate; Bing cherry dominates while cranberry and raspberry flavors add nuance and a light earth note arrives in the aftertaste; roof that rose is more than a spring and summer wine, and will make a delicious addition to the holiday table. ($15)