AMERICAN WINES • WINE SELECTIONS
( 94 ) Hall Ranch Sauvignon Blanc 2019 ( CA ). Beautiful , aromatic wine from one of Paso Robles ’ premier estates . Crisp but with a rich mouthful of pear , fragrant citrus and a touch of Asian lime . Sip as an aperitif or have with seafood . ($ 18 )
( 94 ) Le Cerf Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ( CA ). A bold and most-welcome attack on the nose and palate of strong blackberry , blueberry and chocolate flavors . This powerhouse doesn ’ t let off the gas with a rich finish that will bring you back . ($ 49.99 )
( 93 ) Le Cerf Pinot Noir 2017 ( CA ). Ripe and luscious cherry and strawberry notes are complex and powerful . With lifting acidity and a lengthy finish , this is a strong showing from the Russian River Valley , even among the steep competition . ($ 44.99 )
( 93 ) Foppiano Estate Petite Sirah 2016 ( CA ). Deep and brooding — everything a petite should be . Concentrated aromas and flavors of blackberries , raspberries , dark chocolate and a touch of spice . Easy tannins . Elegant long finish . A keeper for the cellar because it ’ s only going to get better ($ 25 )
( 93 ) Macchia Mischievous Zinfandel 2018 ( CA ). A powerhouse of a zinfandel with mouth-filling blackberry and raspberry flavors . There is a nice spicy backdrop here , and the finish is lengthy with dark fruit notes that just keep going . ($ 23.99 )
( 93 ) BlueWing Vineyards Cabernet 2017 ( CA ). An elegant Sonoma wine full of dark blackberry and cherry notes with an elegant acidity that dances throughout the mid-palate and finish . Oak helps hold the fruit notes together and gives the wine complexity . ($ 19.99 )
( 93 ) Hall Ranch Zinfandel 2018 ( CA ). For those seeking a well-rounded , all-American zinfandel , this is it ! The wine exhibits pronounced spicy red fruit aromas backed by vanilla oak , campfire and cinnamon candied apples . Brambly black fruits glide over your palate , reminiscent of blackberry pie , plum and black cherry fruit roll-up . The fruit is pleasantly wrapped in baking spices and hazelnuts , with a long cherry spice finish . It is a delightful seductive balance of jammy fruit and elegant acid , with the spiciness of the oak . ($ 19.99 )
( 92 ) Vennstone Pinot Noir 2019 ( CA ). Dense blackberry and cherry notes are powerful on the nose and luscious on the palate . This rich and full pinot noir has a beautiful texture and a smooth finish . ($ 19.99 )
( 92 ) Grove Pinot Noir 2017 ( OR ). This pinot noir screams Oregon with elegant red cherry notes and spice notes that add depth . The fruit and spice are backed up by a lovely acidity and a plush texture . ($ 19.99 )
( 92 ) Petites Secondes Pinot Noir 2017 ( OR ). Dark cherry and blackberry aromas jump out of the glass along with some spice complexities . The dark fruit and spice flavors continue to the palate with a velvety texture and a lengthy finish . ($ 29.99 )
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( 92 ) BleuWing Vineyards Chardonnay 2018 ( CA ). Tropical fruit notes are laden on the nose and palate , giving the wine a round yet zippy texture . Bright green apple flavors provide elegance and a lengthy finish . ($ 19.99 )
( 92 ) Iter Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ( CA ). Full bodied and fresh , this Napa Cabernet is ripe and explosive with raspberry , blackberry , cherry and vanilla notes on the nose and palate . The finish is impressive and the texture is smooth . ($ 19.99 )
FOUR STARS
( 91 ) River Road Chardonnay ( CA ). With a slight creamy texture and a nice balance this wine is sure to please . Bartlett pear and ripe apple notes are plentiful on this wine and show it to be a true Sonoma classic . ($ 16.99 )
BEVERAGE DYNAMICS NATIONAL WINE PANEL
ABC Fine Wines & Spirits Orlando , FL Brad Lewis Director of Wine Sales
ABC Fine Wines & Spirits Stuart , FL Josh Beerman
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
Bo ’ s Wine Depot , Inc . Eugene , Springfield Boris Wiedenfeld-Needham CSW , CSP CEO & President
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 Springfield , 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 / Certified 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
The Fridge Liquor Manhattan , KS Wine Buyer
Frugal MacDoogal ’ s Nashville , TN Jenni McCray Assistant Wine and Events Manager
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
www . beveragedynamics . com July / August 2020 • Beverage Dynamics 33