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Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/51774
CHEERS WINE PANEL (89) Coastline 2010 Paso Robles Zinfandel (California). This is a rich, full-bodied zinfandel with flavors of mocha, blackberry, cherry and just a hint of caramel on the finish. ($10) (89) Ferrari-Carano 2008 Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel (California). Deep purple in color with aromas of fresh blackberries, boysenberries and raspberries; thick, rich mouthfeel bursting with wild berry preserves and black cherry syrup delight and contrast with delicate tannins. ($22) (89) Ironstone Reserve Lodi 2009 Zinfandel (California). The vines are aged 60-plus years and it shows in this deep, sultry zinfandel; the brambly, earthy undertones are decorated by a beautiful plum-like fruitiness and a wonderfully balanced, chocolately oakiness. ($17) (89) Joel Gott 2008 Zinfandel (California). A zinfandel made for food; nice bright fruit on the mid-palate is rounded off with nice acidity and a full berry finish. ($18) (89) Peirano 2010 Immortal Zinfandel (California). Smooth with a nice core of wild berry and plum flavors that turns even more complex on the spicy, long finish; a nice value ($15) (89) Zinsane Lodi 2010 Zinfandel (California). Bright fruit on the nose and rich dark berry flavors make this zinfandel a notable value. ($14) (88) Dry Creek Vineyards 2008 Dry Creek Valley Heritage Vines Zinfandel (California). Jammy and zesty in the nose, and then traces of toffee and milk chocolate; zesty on the palate with good, bracing tannin making the fruit flavors take their time to unfold and lend some softness; a good finish. ($16) (88) Edmeades 2008 Zinfandel (California). A fine demonstration of Mendocino fruit, this is a beautifully complex Zinfandel made from 50-year-old vines; dried figs and generous sour cherry fruit lead into savory anise undertones; though high in alcohol at 15 percent, it's a well- balanced wine with finesse. ($20) (88) Forever Vineyards 2009 Lodi Zinfandel (California). This old vine zinfandel starts with aromas of fresh cherry and raspberry followed by flavors of plum, blackberry and just a hint of spice. ($9) (88) Four Vines 2009 Zinfandel (California). Plum aroma, followed by plum, spice and blackberry flavors; moderate to big tannins and a medium long finish. ($11) (88) Klinker 2008 Brick Lodi Zinfandel (California). This is a classic Lodi zinfandel; it is big, bold and brash with berry fruit popping out everywhere. ($20) (88) Valley of the Moon 2008 Sonoma Zinfandel (California). A deep ruby hue leads the way, with a nose of cedar, spice-box and lush boysenberry jam; 18 months in 46 | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2012 oak, lending vanilla flavors that meld into the fruit forward backbone of this fine wine. ($13) (87) Castello Monaci, 2009 "Piluna," Primitivo Salento Puglia (Italy). Aromas of black and red licorice and pine sawdust; taut, with red raspberry and dark chocolate flavors, ending with, dusty tannins. ($13) Cheers National Wine Panel The Cheers National Wine Panel is comprised of beverage experts from restaurants and retail wine stores around the country. Hyannis, MA David Alphonse Back Bay Restaurants Boston, MA Timothy Baldwin The Broadmoor Colorado Springs, CO Ron Balter Italian Village Chicago, IL Stacey Blacker Sayers Liquors Florence, NJ Sandy Block Legal Sea Foods Boston, MA Ralph J. Bondon Berbiglia Wine & Spirits Kansas City, MO Bryan Brick K&L Wine Merchants Redwood City, CA Steve Burnell Washington State Liquor Control Board Ken Collura Andina Restaurant/ Pearl Wine Shop Portland, OR Gary Franklin Brown Derby Stores Springfield, MO Erin Fitzpatrick The Waverly Inn/Esse Consulting New York City, NY John Foy Consultant Hoboken, NJ Maggie Gephard Liquorama Wine Cellar Hyde Park, NY Josh Haugh Food & Beverage Director Hyatt Regency Bethesda Bethesda, MD Jackie Kantrowitz The Wine List Louis Koppel Wine Host Spencer's for Steaks and Chops Salt Lake City, Utah Walter Kotrba Bottle Smart Lawrenceville/ Woodbridge, NJ Larry LaScola Bottle King Liquors Livingston, NJ Brad Lewis ABC Fine Wines & Spirits Orlando, FL Daniel A. Manning Haskell's Minnetonka, MN Jack Mantle Frugal MacDoogal's Nashville, TN Jerry Martellero Stew Leonard's Wines Farmingdale, NY Rick McLeod Prime Wines & Spirits Kenmore, NY Jorge L. Mendoza The Ritz-Carlton, Key Biscayne Miami, FL Dustin Mitzel Happy Harry's Bottle Shop Grand Forks, ND Michael Mulderig Total Wine & More Claymont, DE William O'Brien The Liquor Store Jackson Hole, WY Phil Perry Terra Nova Wine & Spirits Madison, MS Robin Riddell Martin Wine Cellar New Orleans, LA Hervé Rousseau Owner, Flûte New York, NY Richard R. Schneider Trump Taj Mahal Atlantic City, NJ Charles Scicolone Vino Italian Wines and Spirits New York, NY Michael Sorg Liquor Barn Louisville, KY Matthew R. Scott Kent Rathbun Concepts Dallas, TX Jeff Sukowski Sal's Beverage World Elmhurst, IL Matt Swingos Swingos on the Lake Lakewood, OH Dennis Tafuri Cask 591 Restaurant & Lounge Long Branch, NJ Steve Tindle Shaw's Crab House Chicago, IL W. Edwin True Sherlock's Beer & Wine Warehouse Marietta, GA Gabriel S. Varela Meat Market Steakhouse Miami, FL Jeff Vignaux Premium Wine & Spirits Amherst, NY John Wabeck Firefly Washington, DC Wilfred Wong Beverages & More! 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