StateWays is the only magazine exclusively covering the control state system within the beverage alcohol industry, with annual updates from liquor control commissions and alcohol control boards and yearly fiscal reporting from control jurisdictions
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/93802
(94) Aloft Howell Mountain, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (California). From Peter Mondavi of Charles Krug comes this special occa- sion wine for your holiday table; rich nose of dark cherry and tea; palate of silky, textured tannins with great balance of red fruit and savory flavors; an excellent inaugural release; benefits from decanting. ($175) (94) Champagne Henriot Brut Souverain (France). With a predominance of chardonnay in the blend, this is an elegant example of high-end Champagne, at an extremely attractive price point; with stone fruits and a subtle bready note, the nose and follow- ing taste is rich and com- plex. ($45) (94) Touraine with a subtle hint of minerality not found elsewhere; a won- derful holiday aperitif or will pair beautifully with milder fish dishes. ($17) (93) Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon (California). Aromas of earth, cedar and cassis, this wine has luscious black fruit, rich firm tannins and a com- plex lingering finish. ($45) (92) Black Stallion Napa Chardonnay 2010 (California). A rich Napa chardonnay with layers of fruit highlighting green apple, pineapple, melon and peach flavors; the mid-palate is creamy offering a hint of vanilla and finishing with a nice balance and crisp acidity. ($21) Ravenswood Pickberry Sonoma Mountain Red Wine 2008 (California). A Bordeaux blend- styled wine that outshines its inspira- tion, the Pickberry Red is dominated by merlot, followed by cabernet, with just a smidgen of petit verdot and malbec; the nose is an explosion of black fruit, spice and vanilla, and the palate follows in the same manner, topped off by a long and balanced finish. ($50) RATING SYSTEM 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. (93) Ferrari Brut Rosé (Italy). Using pinot noir and chardonnay grapes, this classically produced sparkling wine outper- forms, at its price; a lovely salmon edge to the pick color, and the nose is full of strawberry and cherry notes; bright and elegant on the palate, the finish is long and balanced. ($37) (93) Santadi Terre Brune Carignano del Sulsis Superiore 2006 (Italy). A big, powerful Carignano with great complexity, drinkable now and should age nicely. ($65) (93) Trentadue La Storia Alexander Valley Merlot 2010 (California). A serious merlot with lots of complexity; concentrated fla- vors of black cherry, blueberry, cassis and dark chocolate; the finish lingers on and on and while the tannins are a bit soft, there are enough for this to age for five or more years. ($35) (93) La Chapiniere Sauvignon Blanc 2010 (France). This elegant wine expresses the deli- cate melon and citrus aromas and flavors of sauvignon blanc grown in StateWays www.stateways.com November/December 2012 palate, the finesse of the fruit and the long, balanced finish ably demon- strate its pedigreed origins and skilled winemaking. ($40) (93) La Follette Sonoma Coast Sangiacomo Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 (California). A single vineyard pinot noir, from one of the top locations in northern California, this wine exhibits ele- gance, with great energy; a bright ruby in the glass; the nose is dominated by red cherry fruit, and hints of exotic spices; on the (93) Clos du Bois Sonoma Reserve Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2010 (California). A brilliant silvery- straw in hue, this Chardonnay has pronounced aromas of spiced apple, pear, jasmine and tangerine, with notes of minerality, oak spice and nutmeg, leading into bright ripe pear, apple, citrus and crème brûlée flavors; rich and creamy, the acidity is balanced and the oak well integrat- ed; a perfect match for shellfish, mushrooms sautéed in butter and any other cuisine that's rich in texture and flavor. ($16) (92) Tikal Patriota 2010 (Argentina). This blend of 60% malbec and 40% bonarda will absolutely melt in your mouth; bold yet controlled fruit and layered with balanced tannins and acidity; superb finish. ($21) (92) Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 25