Stateways

and on the palate, with black pepper notes tinting blackberry compote, spicy briar notes and earthy undertones; bold and intense, yet beautifully balanced, and the finish displays vanilla and caramel. ($25) ##### (93) Black Coyote Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (California). Pure Napa Valley, with sweet blackberries, leather, and spicy cedar; offering impressive concentration and supple tannins; this wine seals the deal on the outstandingly long finish that is further laden with flavors of tobacco and nutmeg; a real stand-out cabernet. ($85) ##### (93) Tyrus Evan Ciel du Cheval Red Mountain Claret 2011 (Washington State). The bouquet is gorgeous, with both an earthy and savory bent, yet exhibiting plenty of ripe black fruit aromas; full bodied and luscious, but with a backbone of tannins that, though firm, remain quite smooth; light tints of cocoa and earth linger on the edges while ripe and juicy black cherry, currant, cassis and blueberry roll across the palate. ($40) ##### (93) Embem Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (California). The Mondavi family strikes again, with a winery created by Robert's son and grandchildren; the wine displays a similar class and elegance, with a slightly richer, riper style; the nose and palate both posses plenty of ripe, dark fruit, with hints of spice and hints of brown sugar; vibrant and young, now, it will also benefit from time in the cellar. ($35) ##### (93) Stuhlmuller Vineyards Alexander Valley Estate Chardonnay 2010 (California). Lovely citrus and lemon custard aromas; flavors of pineapple, pear, orange and apple are revealed on the palate; long subtle finish from the French oak and sur lie aging process. ($30) ##### (93) William Hill Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 (California). The lovely acidity keeps the rich red and black fruits in balance; the tannins are very well integrated, providing texture and structure; exceptionally easy to enjoy now, it will also benefit from cellaring. ($35) ##### (93) Joseph Drouhin Drouhin-Vaudon Chablis Premier Cru 2010 (France). Bright yellow-gold in the glass, there is plenty of white peach, with notes of grapefruit and orange blossom on the nose; on the palate the refinement and elegance reveal layers of flavors and an evolving texture; stunning now, it will continue to evolve for the next few years. ($39) ##### (93) Hess Collection Mt. Veeder Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (California). This cabernet possesses lots of black, rich, and spicy fruit, on the nose and palate; the finish is seamless, elegant, and extended; superb, and balanced, across the board. ($55) ##### (93) Beaulieu Vineyards Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (California). Classic Rutherford dust; dark cherry and cocoa notes lead into great earthiness and big tannins; pair with grilled meats. ($27) ##### (93) Newton Red Label Chardonnay 2009 (California). Rich mouthfeel gives way to peaches, lemon curd, and pineapple as the toasted oak and cream notes delight the senses. ($22) ##### (93) Dutton Estate Russian River Chardonnay 2010 (California). Tropical nose and flavors lead to an elegant, smooth and lingering finish. ($30) National Retailer Wine Panel Crestwood Liquors Coventry, RI Matthew A. Reay VP Marketing/ Merchandising Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits Silvis, IL Kevin Miller Wine & Spirits Manager North Ridge Wine Ellicott City, MD Brad Boarman Owner Trig's Cellar 70 Minocqua, WI Dennis J. Kohl Beverage Consultant Flute New York, NY Herve Rousseau Owner Hyatt Regency Bethesda, MD Josh Haugh Food & Beverage Director Prime Wines & Spirits Kenmore, NY Rick McLeod Wine Manager Total Wine & More Claymont, DE Christina Pearce Senior Buyer Bowery & Vine Wine & Spirits New York, NY Bill Beard, Manager Frugal MacDoogal's Nashville, TN Jack Mantle, Wine Dept. K&L Wine Merchants Redwood City, CA Bryan Brick Sales Consultant Premium Wine & Spirits Williamsville, NY Dave Cleveland General Manager Vino 100 Michael A. Schaefer, CWE Dir., Business Development Brown Derby Stores Springfield, MO John Riley Retail Fine Wine Buyer Hamilton Beverage/ United Package Liquors Indianapolis, IN Arnie Lewin Manager/Wine Buyer Liquor Barn Louisville, KY Michael Sorg Wine Manager Bullfrog Wine and Spirits Fort Collins, CO Chuck Carlson GM, Certified Sommelier Happy Harry's Bottle Shop Grand Forks, ND Dustin Mitzel General Manager Liquorama Wine Cellars Hyde Park, NY Maggie Gephard Vice President/General Manager Cordially Yours Wine and Spirits Depew, NY Jeannine Babcock Director Wine & Spirits Haskell's Minnetonka, MN Ted Farrell President Malloy's Finest Wine & Spirits Naperville, IL Bruce Jaroski Wine Director ABC Fine Wines & Spirits Orlando, FL Brad Lewis, Director of Wine Sales Bottle Bargains Northport, NY Ryan Armstrong Store Manager Andina Restaurant/ Pearl Wine Shop Portland, OR Ken Collura Director/Sommelier Bottle King Liquors Livingston, NJ Steve Carpentier General Manager Atlantic Liquors Rehoboth Beach, DE John Driscoll Wine Manager Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits Annapolis, MD Phil Altherr, GM Katie Harper, Wine Sales Berbiglia Wine & Spirits Kansas City, MO Ralph J. Bondon Vice President/Owner Beverages & more! Concord, CA Wilfred Wong E-Commerce Cellar Master The Boerne Wine Co. Boerne, TX Tom Geoghegan "Wine Guy" Cotuit Liquors Marston Mills, MA Dan O'Brien, President Holiday Wine Cellar Escondido, CA Jim Kern Manager, Wine Buyer StateWays I www.stateways.com I November/December 2013 Mills Fine Wine & Spirits Annapolis, MD Peter Finkelstein Wine Consultant Prestige Wine & Spirits Orchard Park, NY Jeff Vignaux General Manager Spec's Wine, Spirits and Finer Foods Houston, TX Hermen Key VP, Retail Development Spencer's for Steaks and Chops Salt Lake City, UT Louis Coppel Wine Host Willowbrook Spirit Shoppe Cromwell, CT Christopher Cambareri Owner Yankee Wine Newtown, CT Steve Small General Manager Tavistock Restaurants San Francisco, CA Carolin Meier Director of Wine 31

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• Editor's Note
• Dateline
• Control States' Fiscal Year in Review
• Top Shelf Spirits
• The Year's Best Wines
• Holiday Merchandising
• Products & Packaging