Beverage Dynamics July-August 2019 | Page 34

WINE SELECTIONS • ALL AMERICAN WINES
( 92 ) Bailarin Love Vineyard Russian River Zinfandel 2015 ( CA ). A rich and savory zinfandel , yet the balance gives this wine remarkable elegance . Not many zinfandels over 15 % ABV have such control . ($ 35 )
( 92 ) Round Pond Rutherford Sauvignon Blanc 2017 ( CA ). Bright and fresh melon are balanced with a gentle grapefruit mid-palate . The acidity offers a very nice pop , and the finish is delightfully refreshing and satisfying . ($ 30 )
( 92 ) Ashler Vineyard Chardonnay 2017 ( CA ). This Carneros , Napa wine has beautiful green apple and Bartlett pear sensations on the nose and palate . The ripe fruit notes are well balanced using French oak to give slight vanilla spice flavors that improve upon the fruit complexities . ($ 29.99 )
( 92 ) Meiomi Pinot Noir 2017 ( CA ). if you like French Burgundy , you must give this one a try . Medium-bodied , elegant and smooth with a palate-pleasing finish of ripe red berries and just a whisper of spice . ($ 18 )
FOUR STARS
( 91 ) J . Lohr Valdiguie Wildflower ( CA ). Hard to pronounce but easy to enjoy . Just ask for J . Lohr “ Wildflower .” If you like Beaujolais and lighter style reds , you ’ ll love this one . Smooth and easy to enjoy , with lots of jammy raspberry and red cherry . Affordable red for any occasion . ($ 8.99 )
( 91 ) Pine Ridge Chenin Blanc-Viognier 2017 ( CA ). A go-to white for any occasion . Crisp and refreshing citrus flavors with a subtle finish . Excellent with seafood , but great on its own for sipping . ($ 12 )
( 91 ) n . v . Gruet Brut Rose ( NM ). This perennial favorite sparkler has a delicate , fine mousse and inviting aromas and flavors of wild strawberries . Easy acidity on the finish . Fun for celebrations , and a friendly sipper with lighter meals . ($ 17 )
( 91 ) Newsom Vineyards Tempranillo 2015 ( TX ). Nolan Newsom heads up the next generation of former cotton farmers who have established their High Plains vineyards as one of the premier sites for the best in Texas fruit . Rich fruit notes , medium bodied and perfect with Texas BBQ ! ($ 44.99 )
( 91 ) Crossfork Creek Merlot 2017 ( WA ). This densely layered , complex merlot from Yakima Valley radiates a gorgeous aroma of black fruit notes . As a powerful merlot with black currant and wild berry flavors , this wine punches well above its weight . ($ 19.99 )
( 91 ) Paso Ranches Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 ( CA ). Aromas of blackberry , blueberry and plum jam are accented by subtle notes of espresso and chocolate . This Paso Robles wine has a beautiful smooth texture that complements its explosive dark fruit notes . ($ 19.99 )
( 91 ) Santa Barbara Vineyards Pinot Noir 2016 ( CA ). This fruit-forward and balanced pinot noir exemplifies the cool , elegant nature of the Santa Barbara region . Scents of spice accent the medium body for this smoothly textured pinot noir . ($ 17.99 )
( 91 ) Fend & Foster Pinot Noir 2017 ( CA ). Ripe red fruit lead a plethora of aromas closely followed by the scents of soft spice . On the palate , black cherry and juicy red plums stand tall flanked by subtle notes of vanilla and spice . A classic Sonoma Coast pinot noir . ( 19.99 )
( 91 ) Mazzocco Dry Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 ( CA ). The balance of dark berry fruit and firm structure give this wine depth and a rich finish . This wine is nicely balanced , and offers wonderful rounded mouthfeel . Get the grill ready : this wine is going to make any steak happy . ($ 26 )
( 91 ) Rickshaw Cab 2017 ( CA ). Dark purple in color . Gun powder and soil for the nose . The nose also has a lot of nice earth tones . The mouth still has a bit of jam but it ’ s not overpowering . ($ 16.99 )
( 90 ) Rickshaw Pinot Noir 2017 ( CA ). Strawberries , blueberries , pomegranates , cola , vanilla , and forest floor with a super-smooth finish . ($ 16.99 )
( 90 ) Pine Ridge Viognier Chenin Blanc Blend 2017 ( CA ). A zippy , tangy mix of citrus and spice with a hint of floral . A perfect partner for spice Asian food . ($ 14.95 ) BD
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
Scottsdale National Golf Club Scottsdale , AZ Shaun Adams Club Sommelier
Spec ’ s Wine , Spirits , Finer Foods Houston , TX Bear Dalton Fine Wine Buyer
The Boerne Cork and Keg Boerne , TX Tom Geoghegan , Owner
The Liquor Store & Wine Loft Jackson Hole , WY Nate Mylott , Manager / Buyer
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 Englewood , 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 Brian Hutcheson General Manager
32 Beverage Dynamics • July / August 2019 www . beveragedynamics . com