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(California). This gem is a blend of 75.1% cabernet sauvignon, 13.1% merlot, 7.1% petit verdot, 2.9% mal- bec and 1.8% cabernet franc; opaque with a dark ruby-garnet color, which complements the rich dark aroma and flavor; black currant, black cherry, berry and Santa Rosa plum are inter- twined with the spicy sweetness of oak, cedar, cinnamon, clove and toast; the entry is soft, with dark cherry/berry flavors that develop from start to finish; with great texture and mouth-feel, this cabernet is full bodied, rich and opulent. ($40) (92) Stags Leap Wine Cellars Napa Valley Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 (California). Red fruit on the nose; solid core of cassis and cherry; sub- stantial tannins; long finish. ($55) (92) Bergstrom Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010 (Oregon). Smooth, lush, complex and ready to drink although it should evolve nicely over the next few years; consistently high quality vintage after vintage. ($55) (92) Leal Vineyards Godsend San Benito County Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2006 (California). Cherries Jubilee in a glass; nine additional months in American oak gives this wine its steroidal cherry and vanilla flavors; fans of Silver Oak Alexander Valley will love it. ($60) (92) Molnar Family Chardonnay 2010 (California). Scents of fresh pear and vanilla; bursts of apple and citrus flavors; a wonderful spice finish from Hungarian oak. ($25) (92) Jeff Rundquist Petite Sirah 2010 (California). The color is deep and inky; jammy scents of blackberry and raspberry; creamy fruits with a touch of chocolate. ($29) (92) Moët & Chandon, Rosé Impérial (France). The pinot noir in this wine contributes to its dazzling pink color, along with the pinot meunier, used to bring some fruit to the nose and palate; the Chardonnay adds elegance and bright, focused fruit to the blend; the nose and palate overflow with straw- berry, cherry and red raspberry notes; graceful and lively, it's a great wine as an aperitif and for the table. ($50) (92) Tikal Patriota 2010 (Argentina). This blend of 60% malbec and 40% bonarda will National Retailer Wine Panel ABC Fine Wines & Spirits Orlando, FL Brad Lewis, Director of Wine Sales Director/Sommelier Andina Restaurant/ Pearl Wine Shop Portland, OR Ken Collura Artisan Selections Hockessin, DE John Driscoll Sales Manager Back Bay Restaurant Group Boston, MA David Alphonse Beverage Director Katie Harper, Wine Sales Bay Ridge Wine & Spirits Annapolis, MD Phil Altherr, GM Berbiglia Wine & Spirits Kansas City, MO Ralph J. Bondon Vice President/Owner Beverages & more! Concord, CA Wilfred Wong E-Commerce Cellar Master 26 The Boerne Wine Co. Boerne, TX Tom Geoghegan "Wine Guy" 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 Retail Fine Wine Buyer Brown Derby Stores Springfield, MO John Riley Bullfrog Wine and Spirits Fort Collins, CO Chuck Carlson GM, Certified Sommelier Cornwall Wine & Spirits Cornwall, NY Kenn Brodmerkel, Owner Cotuit Liquors Marston Mills, MA Dan O'Brien, President Crestwood Liquors Coventry, RI Matthew A. Reay VP Marketing/ Merchandising Jack Mantle, Wine Dept. Frugal MacDoogal's Nashville, TN Manager/Wine Buyer The Grog Shop Huntington, NY Rob Wand Hamilton Beverage/ United Package Liquors Indianapolis, IN Arnie Lewin Manager/Wine Buyer Happy Harry's Bottle Shop Grand Forks, ND Dustin Mitzel General Manager Minnetonka, MN Daniel A. Manning President Haskell's Manager, Wine Buyer Holiday Wine Cellar Escondido, CA Jim Kern Hy Vee Wine & Spirits Milan, IL Wine & Spirits Manager Charles Gibson K&L Wine Merchants Redwood City, CA Bryan Brick Sales Consultant Liquor Barn Louisville, KY Michael Sorg Wine Manager Vice President/General Manager Wine Cellars Hyde Park, NY Maggie Gephard Liquorama Malloy's Finest Wine & Spirits Lisle, IL Bruce R. Jaworski Wine Director Mills Fine Wine & Spirits Annapolis, MD Peter Finkelstein Wine Consultant StateWays www.stateways.com November/December 2012 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 VP, Retail Development Spec's Wine, Spirits and Finer Foods Houston, TX Hermen Key Wine & Spirits Director Shaw's Crab House Chicago, IL Steve Tindle Stew Leonard's Wines Farmingdale, NY Jerry Martellaro Manager/Wine Buyer Trig's Cellar 70 Minocqua, WI Dennis J. Kohl Beverage Consultant Total Wine & More Claymont, DE Christina Pearce Senior Buyer Wine Director/Asst. General Manager San Francisco, CA Adam Betts Urban Tavern Michael A. Schaefer, CWE Vino 100 Dir., Business Development Christopher Cambareri Owner Willowbrook Spirit Shoppe Cromwell, CT General Manager Yankee Wine Newton, CT Steve Small absolutely melt in your mouth; bold yet controlled fruit and layered with balanced tannins and acidity; superb finish. ($21) (92) Don Miguel Gascón Reserva Malbec 2010 (Argentina). This wine uses a selection of the best available grapes from a range of loca- tions to add to the complexity of the wine; deeply colored, and dark in the glass; the nose and palate have an abundance of black fruits, with hints of spice, and an edge of dark choco- late; a wine begging to be paired with beef, game, cheese and other rich dishes. ($25) (92) Peter Zemmer Reserve Lagrein 2010 (Alto Adige, Italy). Lagrein may not be the first grape variety that comes to mind, when your customers come in the door, but this is a great wine to intro- duce them to the choices beyond the usual suspects; deep ruby red, the nose is dominated by black fruits, with floral and spice hints; in the mouth, it is rich with a long balanced finish. ($25) (92) Costa di Bussia, Piedmont DOCG Barolo 2006 (Italy). Classically styled nebbiolo from the Piedmont DOC; very old-

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• From the Editor
• Dateline
• Brand Spotlight
• StateWays Fiscal Year in Review 2012
• Cognac & Brandy
• Retailer Wine Selections
• Holiday Merchandising
• Products & Packaging