Beverage Dynamics

Beverage Dynamics May-June 2016

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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WINE SELECTIONS • ZINFANDEL 44 Beverage Dynamics • May/June 2016 www.beveragedynamics.com (90) Regio Old Vine – Old Clone (O.V.O.C.) 2012 (Lodi, CA). This is from some of the Scotto Family's older vineyards that truly defi ne the Lodi AVA. The wine is richly aromatic with bold, robust fl avors of blackberry, raspberry and allspice. It's beautifully balanced with soft tannins and zesty acidity. There are hints of pepper and terroir on the fi nish. It's perfectly enjoyable now, but will cellar for 2-3 years. This is the ideal "every-day" red wine that will pair with burgers, pizza, pasta, grilled beef or pork, spicier seafood dishes, or Mexican cuisine. It's also an excellent value! ($13) (90) The One Armed Man Red Blend 2014 (Dry Creek, CA). A Zinfandel-heavy blend that gains richness with air; assertive fl avors of raspberry and blackberry along with vanilla and spice from the oak infl uence. Powerful fruit well blended with sensible use of oak provides balance. ($35) (90) Inconspicuous Zinfandel 2014 (Lodi, CA). Powerful and balanced Zinfandel with fl avors of plum, black cherry and a hint of cinnamon. Full-bodied and rich in fl avor, the rigid tannins and plumpness of the fruit are very comple- mentary. ($20) (90) Banknote Wine Co. "Counterfeit" Zinfan- del 2011 (Sonoma County, CA). Not only was I impressed by the fl avor, I was also impressed by the packaging. The winemaker, Pete Nixon was a graphic designer by trade. The "Coun- terfeit" Zinfandel is unique in its packaging but classic when it comes to all the fl avors you expect: big, juicy and jammy. After the hand HMGI Restaurant Group Charleston, SC Bill Netherland Wine Director Holiday Wine Cellar Escondido, CA Jim Kern Manager/Wine Buyer Hy-Vee Wine & Spirits Silvis, IL Kevin Miller Wine & Spirits Manager K&L Wine Merchants Redwood City, CA Bryan Brick, Sales Consultant Legal Sea Foods Boston, MA Sandy Block VP, Beverage Operations Liquor Barn Louisville, KY Michael Sorg, Wine Manager Liquor Boy St. Louis Park, MN Peter Herlofsky III Wine Manager Maggie Wine Consulting Poughkeepsie, NY Maggie Gephard President Mainstreet Wines & Spirits Countryside, IL Nancy J. Sabatini Dir. Wine Ed. & Sales Malloy's Finest Wine & Spirits Naperville, IL Bruce Jaroski Wine Director Mills Fine Wine & Spirits Annapolis, MD Peter Finkelstein Wine Consultant North Ridge Wine Ellicott City, MD Brad Boarman Owner Prime Wines & Spirits Kenmore, NY Rick McLeod Wine Manager Premium Wine & Spirits Williamsville, NY Dave Cleveland General Manager Prestige Wine & Spirits Orchard Park, NY Jeff Vignaux General Manager Spec's Wine, Spirits and Finer Foods Houston, TX Hermen Key VP, Retail Development The Liquor Store & Wine Loft Jackson Hole, WY Nate Mylott Manager/Buyer The Little Nell Aspen, CO Timothy Baldwin Director, Food and Bev. Total Wine & More Claymont, DE Cristina Pearce Senior Buyer Towne Spirits and Fine Wine/Elite Beverages Noblesville & Indianapolis, IN Arnie Lewin Wine & Spirits Director Trig's Cellar 70 Minocqua, WI Dennis J. Kohl Beverage Consultant Vino 100 Michael A. Schaefer, CWE Dir., Business Development Vino Loco Wine & Tapas Sarasota, FL Joyce Colmar Managing Partner Willowbrook Spirit Shoppe Cromwell, CT Christopher Cambareri Owner The Wine Seller Ridgewood, NJ Don Carter Owner/Sommelier Yankee Discount Liquor East Haven, CT Deepak Pattani, Owner Yankee Wine Newtown, CT Steve Small General Manager harvest, the grapes go through full malolactic fermentation and are aged for 13 months in French oak. It opens with a touch of vanilla on the nose due to that French oak and big black- berry pepper jam. The palate has some toasty notes and a soft silky black pepper fi nish. This is a wine that doesn't need a food pairing, just a big glass and some great conversation. ($25) (90) Montoya Zinfandel 2013 (Lodi, CA). A lively Zinfandel that delivers rich aromas and fl avors of ripe plum, cassis, red currant and subtle notes of vanilla. This wine delivers lush structure and smooth approachable fruit. ($14) (90) The Fugitive Red 2014 (Dry Creek, CA). This Zinfandel is a heavy, bold, dense, power- house of a red blend that shows a huge fruit- driven profi le. A concentrated ripe wine that is mouth-fi lling, has good tannic structure, and soft oak notes. ($30) (90) Mad Duck Zinfandel 2014 (Lodi, CA). A rich, ripe Zinfandel with lush fl avors of black cherry and plum. Easy drinking. The wine is me- dium-bodied but rich in fruit and great in texture at the same time. ($12) (90) Four Vines Biker 2012. Smooth and plump. Lots of ripe raspberry and toasty vanilla. Great for BBQ ribs and pulled pork. ($15) (90) St. Francis Old Vine Zinfandel 2012 (Sonoma, CA). The nose announced its use of oak and was verifi ed on the palate. A fuller-bod- ied experience. A heavier-handed red infl uenced by oak with integrated fruit. Defi nitively showing a warmer, higher-yield vintage. ($19.99) (89) Predator Old Vine 2014 (Lodi, CA). Fifty- year-old vines produce a slightly smoky, spice and cocoa-edged Zin. Sustainably grown, the wine is named for the ladybugs used to patrol for insects. ($14.95) (89) Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel 2013 (Lodi, CA). From vines averaging 85 years old, this wine has aromas of berries and spice. On the palate, you will taste sweet dark fruit with a hint of black pepper leading to a long lingering fi nish. Lodi Zins tend to be a little on the jammy side and this wine is no exception, but it is a defi nite crowd pleaser. ($17.99) (89) 2012 Zinphomaniac Zinfandel (Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander Valleys, CA). Dark fruit aroma with plum clove. Blackberry, plum fl avors with hint of tobacco. Nice smooth tannins. Long fi nish. ($19.99) (88) Brazin Zinfandel 2012 (Lodi). Dark fuit aroma with some cherry. Plum, cherry and blackberry fl avors with some spice and pepper. Moderate tannins that end in a medium-long pleasing fi nish. ($13.99) (88) Federalist 2011 (Lodi, CA). It had a bright garnet leaning towards the orange-brown spec- trum. The nose was pronounced with ripe fruit. The fi nish was lingering with balanced acidity and revealing layers of structure as it opened. A very nice value. ($16.99) BD

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