Beverage Dynamics

Beverage Dynamics July-Aug 2014

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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42 Beverage Dynamics • July/August 2014 www.beveragedynamics.com +++++ Five Stars (92-100) A top- flight wine. Superior in taste and character and providing an outstanding price/value relationship. ++++ Four Stars (86-91) A very good wine and an excellent value. A wine for which customers will keep coming back. +++ Three Stars (80-85) An above-average wine, at a reasonable price point, which many customers will enjoy. ++ Two Stars (70-79) An average wine. + One Star (50-69) A below-average wine. RATING SYSTEM WINE SELECTIONS R E TA I L E R FIVE STARS +++++ (98) Sonoma-Loeb Envoy Carneros Chardonnay 2012 (California). Sourced from the famed Sangiacomo Vineyards with the best clones, this is a rich elegant Burgundian-styled wine with beautiful tropical fruits, rich butter and caramel fl avors, and toasted oak; save this for that special dinner. ($55) +++++ (97) Duckhorn Napa Chardonnay 2012 (California). This is the 35 vintage year, and this wine refl ects the very best of Napa; sourced from 11 different vineyard sites, it showcases a wide variety of fl avor components, including melon, pineapple, and peaches; beautifully regimented barrel aging program adds rich, complex textures to balanced acidity; long lingering fi nish. ($53) +++++ (95) Itsas Mendi Blanco D.O. Bizkaiko Txakolina 2012 (Spain). A truly unique white wine from Spain's Basque country, made from the indigenous Hondarrabi Zuri grape; The Beverage Dynamics National Retailer Wine Panel recommends a lineup of top quality/value white wines for summer drinking. FOR THIS ISSUE, we asked members of the Beverage Dynamics National Retailer Wine Panel to recommend some of their favorite white wines for summer drinking. As always, these selections include brief tasting notes, a rating and the wine's retail price (which varies from store to store and market to market). If you're a retail beverage professional who would like to learn about participating in our panel, call Richard Brandes at 212-353-3832, or email him at rbrandes@specialtyim.com. at fi rst, it's reminiscent of Vinho Verde, rather tart and light; after a few minutes of aeration, a fl oral bouquet bursts into fl avors of lush tropical fruits, ending with lip-smacking sweet/tart acidity. ($23) +++++ (95) Migration Russian River Chardonnay 2012 (California). This wine is sourced from 11 vineyards in the Russian River Valley; rich fruit notes of pineapple, peach, orange and nectarine are complemented by aromas of allspice and sweet vanilla. ($48) +++++ (94) J.Lohr Riverstone Arroyo Seco Chardonnay 2013 (California). A top chardonnay for the money; very balanced with great fruit and just enough oak; creamy texture, with good acidity. ($18) +++++ (93) Chappellet Napa Chenin Blanc 2012 (California). Young and lively, with beautiful acidity; exotic hints of lychee, citrus, and guava underscore the rich minerality of mountain fruit. ($50) +++++ (93) Rutherford Ranch Napa Chardonnay 2013 (California). Primarily fermented in stainless steel for great acidity and purity of fruit; aged sur lie in oak to add a creamy mouth feel; rich, elegant and always consistent; a great value for summer entertaining. ($25) +++++ (93) MacMurray Estate Vineyards Sonoma Pinot Gris 2013 (California). From prime Sonoma locations, this pinot gris has plenty of clean, unoaked fruit, with plenty of weight and texture, so the wood is not missed; a great match for a wide range of grilled, smoked, and roasted dishes. ($20) +++++ (93) Bruno Giacosa Roreo Arneis 2012 (Italy). From one of the world's top Nebbiolo producers, this fi nely textured white is a surprise; weight and complexity add to its pedigree; the fi nish is long and elegant; a wine to enjoy with grilled fi sh, and other summer treats. ($30) +++++ (93) Girard Sauvignon Blanc 2013 (California). A wonderful expression of bright,

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