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/565520
60 Beverage Dynamics • September/October 2015 www.beveragedynamics.com WINE SELECTIONS R E TA I L E R FIVE STARS (97) Pahlmeyer Merlot 2012 (Napa Valley, CA). A real powerhouse of a wine. Dense, nearly pur- ple color in the glass, with dark fruit dominating the nose and palate. Hints of spice follow from the nose to the taste, with great fruit and density. An exceptional wine; a real keeper. ($70) (96) Long Shadows Pedestal Merlot 2012 (Columbia Valley, WA). A partnership with Mi- chel Rolland, this Washington State wine shows power with elegance. Nearly opaque in the glass, the nose is dominated by black fruit, with hints of spice and smoke. Quite weighty on the palate, the fi nish is long, and superbly balanced. ($60) (95) Chateau Chamaille 2011 (Blaye Cotes De, Bordeaux, France Victoire) A classic old-style Bordeaux Rouge. 90% merlot, 8% cabernet sauvignon, and 2% cabernet franc. Fragrances of lilac and berry mingle with a hint of "La Garrigue." On the palate, fl avors of blueberry, plum and spice har- monize beautifully with sweet/tar t acid- ity. Tannins are supple; the fi nish is long with a subtle hint of terroir. Very nice now; the wine will benefi t from three-to-fi ve years of cellaring. ($18) (95) Chateau Sainte Barbe 2011 (Bordeaux Superieur, France, Swiss Cellars) 70% Merlot and 15% each cabernet sauvignon and caber- net franc, aged 9-12 months in oak. Robust and earthy with bold aromas and fl avors of black- berry, currant and vanilla. On the fi nish, fi rm tan- nins show with a good dose of terroir. Pair this with roast beef, lamb or a thick steak. ($17) (95) Chateau Dorleac 2012 (Graves, Bordeaux, Victoire Imports Co.). 97% merlot and 3% cab- ernet sauvignon. Lush fl oral aromas with hints of fl int and soil lead to ripe fl avors of blackberry and currant, all surrounded by the famous grav- elly terroir of Graves. Though approachable now, The Beverage Dynamics National Retailer Wine Panel recommends a lineup of top quality/value merlot. WE ASKED MEMBERS OF OUR PANEL TO TASTE AND RATE THEIR FAVORITE MERLOTS. As always, these selections include brief tasting notes, a rating and the wine's retail price (which can vary from store to store and market to market). If you're a beverage professional with a specialty in wine and you're interested in participating in the panel, please contact associate editor Kyle Swartz at kswartz@epgmediallc.com or 203-855-8499 x225. MERLOT MAGIC 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 ★★★★★ Five Stars (92-100) A top-flight wine. Supe- rior in taste and char- acter 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. RATING SYSTEM