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/541538
(95) Saint Helena Winery 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley CA). Blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdot. Estate grown. Native yeast fermentation and 22 months in three types of French oak, 70% new, add to the complexities of this fabulous wine. The bouquet is lush with hints of lilac, blueberry, and black cherry. The mouthfeel is rich with ripe black fruit fl avors mingling with nuances of mocha, coffee, and sweet spices and a hint of "cigar box" on the end. Tannins are fi rm, in balance, and assure several years of development. ($75) (94) 2012 Emblem Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley CA). From the Michael Mondavi family, this Napa Valley Cabernet has it all going on. Dark in the glass, with an outstand- ing nose, with lots of black fruit, spice, and toast. Lots of weight on the palate; the long fi nish maintains its balance throughout. ($60) (93) 2012 Clos Pegase Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley CA). From the central Napa Val- ley region, this Cabernet demonstrates bal- ance and elegance. A dense ruby in the glass, the notes of dark fruit and toast are echoed on the powerful, yet balanced, palate. Lots of delicious fruit, from start to long fi nish. ($50) (93) 2012 Northstar Cabernet Sauvignon (Washington). From one of the Columbia Valley's most acclaimed wineries, this Cabernet exempli- fi es the potential of Washington wines. A dense purple in the glass, notes of dark fruit, spice, and toast rise from the glass. On the palate, the fruit is bright and clean, and the well-balanced fi nish lingers on for quite some time. ($41) (93) B.R. Cohn Gold Label 2012 (California). Blend of 67% Napa County, 33% Sonoma County Rich, lush, generous Cabernet showing nuances of both Napa and Sonoma. Classic currant notes, dark fruits, mocha, plum and well-integrated acid- ity and tannins for full bodied smooth fi nish. ($42) (93) Chappellet Signature Cabernet Sauvi- gnon 2012 (California). Complex and satisfying with plush fruits of black cherry and nuances of espresso and bittersweet chocolate. A great match with shor t ribs, veal dishes and hard cheeses. ($45) (93) The Counselor Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (California). This Cabernet is wonderfully complex with many different fl avors that sneak up on you like cocoa, tobacco and currant. There is intensity to this wine, which with time turns into velvety goodness. ($32) (93) 2012 Red Mare Cabernet Napa (Califor- nia). This concentrated, attractive Cabernet of- fers saturated fl avors of cassis, baking spices, leather, and dark chocolate that integrate nicely with the wine's broad, expansive fi nish. ($50) (93) 2012 Amavi Cellars Cabernet Sauvi- gnon (Washington). 100% estate grown, the nose is bursting with blueberry and baking spices. The palate is layered with cassis, cur- rants, and black licorice. Everything is brought together by racy minerality and soft dusty tan- nins on the fi nish. A delicious glass of wine - perfect for summer grilling. ($46) (92) 2012 Rubus Cabernet Sauvignon (Napa Valley CA). 2012 Napa Valley Cabernet for under $40, Rubus is an absolute steal. Ripe blackberry, currants, and nuances of tobacco and vanilla on the palate. The fi nish is long and impressive with notes of chocolate and black cherries. Finishes with just a touch of fi ne silky tannins. ($25) (92) Columbia Crest H3 Cabernet (Wash- ington). Big and bold wine that opens to lots of inviting black cherry and a touch of vanilla. Touch of minerality and cocoa. Serious Cab- ernet for a reasonable price. ($15) WINE SELECTIONS • CABERNET SAUVIGNONS 52 Beverage Dynamics • July/August 2015 www.beveragedynamics.com ABC Fine Wines & Spirits Orlando, FL Brad Lewis Director of Wine Sales Andina Restaurant/ Pearl Wine Shop Portland, OR Ken Collura Director/Sommelier 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 Bocanova Oakland, CA Gerardo Acevedo-Vanni GM/Sommelier Bottle Bargains Northport, NY Ryan Armstrong Store Manager Bottle King Liquors Livingston, NJ Steve Carpentier General Manager Bowery & Vine Wine & Spirits New York, NY Bill Beard Manager Brown Derby Stores Springfi eld, MO John Riley Retail Fine Wine Buyer BTG Wine Bar Salt Lake City, UT Louis Koppel Sommelier Bullfrog Wine and Spirits Fort Collins, CO Chuck Carlson GM/Certifi ed Sommelier Cordially Yours Wine and Spirits Depew, NY Jeannine Babcock Director Wine & Spirits Cotuit Liquors Marston Mills, MA Dan O'Brien President Crestwood Liquors Coventry, RI Matthew A. Reay VP Marketing/Merch. Flute New York, NY Herve Rousseau Owner Frugal MacDoogal's Nashville, TN Jack Mantle Wine Department Great Domains & Estates Windsor, CA Larry LaScola General Manager Hakkasan Group London, England Christine Parkinson Group Head of Wine Happy Harry's Bottle Shop Grand Forks, ND Dustin Mitzel General Manager Haskell's Minnetonka, MN Ted Farrell President Holiday Wine Cellar Escondido, CA Jim Kern Manager/Wine Buyer Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits Silvis, IL Kevin Miller Wine & Spirits Manager NATIONAL RETAILER WINE PANEL 52 Beverage Dynamics • July/August 2015 www.beveragedynamics.com ★★★★★(95) J. McClelland 2012 Cab- ernet Sauvignon Oak Knoll District (Napa Valley CA). Blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot barrel-aged for 20-24 months. This is an el- egant wine, reminiscent of a good Saint-Ju- lien. Distinctive Cabernet Sauvignon aromas and fl avors predominate. The Merlot adds a velvety texture, the Petit Verdot adds a very pleasant herbal nuance. Tannins are fi rm. While nice now, 5-6 more years will allow some lovely development. ($50)