RETAILER

For our latest round of National Retailer Wine Panel reviews , we asked panelists to recall their favorite bottles from this past year .

AS ALWAYS , these selections include brief tasting notes , a rating and the wine ’ s retail price ( which can vary from store to store and market to market ). Unless noted otherwise , the price reflects a 750-ml . bottle . If you ’ re a beverage professional with a specialty in wine and you ’ re interested in participating in the panel , please contact managing editor Kyle Swartz at kswartz @ epgmediallc . com or 203-855-8499 x225 .

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 .

( 98 ) Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ( CA ). From one of Napa Valley ’ s long-time iconic producers , their top wine is an outstanding combination of dark fruit , power and elegance . A spectacular representation of Napa Valley winemaking . ($ 145 )

( 97 ) Miner Family Winery “ The Oracle ” Red Wine Blend 2013 ( CA ). A lovely red blend , with a bit more than half cabernet sauvignon . Supple and elegant , with a mixture of black and some red fruit on the nose . Touches of spice and tannin add to the complexity on the palate . ($ 100 )

( 97 ) Chateau de Beaucastel 2015 ( France ). What an amazing wine ! Opens up with red fruit on the nose , hints of spice , star anise and a slight fl oral aroma . On the palate it confi rms these fl avors and the addition of blackberries , mineral and slightly dried fruits start to evolve with each sip . The balance of tannin-to-acid really creates a wonderfully long fi nish , and lifts the aromas of this wine to the very end . ($ 85 )

( 97 ) Il Pollenza Il Pollenza Marche IGT 2015 ( Italy ). You can think of this as a “ Super Marche ,” produced from the central eastern region of Marche . A touch of merlot and petit verdot are part of the cabernet sauvignon-dominated blend . Exceptionally deeply colored in the glass , the nose is composed of dark fruit and touches of spice . In the mouth the wine has plenty of weight — and fruit . The fi nish lingers on and on , showcasing the wine ’ s complexity and quality . ($ 124 )

( 96 ) Eroica Riesling 2016 ( WA ). Such a great wine at this price — an amazing value ! Bright and clean , with fresh tropical and citrus notes , this is both a world-class riesling and a tremendous bargain . It ’ s a real buy , by-the-case , summer refresher , as well as an exceptional food-friendly wine for the holiday season . ($ 19.99 )

( 96 ) Austin Hope Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon ( CA ). An amazing cabernet with dark rich fruit followed by hints of eucalyptus and a lingering fi nish . ($ 55.99 )

( 96 ) Sullivan Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ( CA ). A balanced and structured cabernet sauvignon , that is elegant and focused with berry and currant notes , as well as chocolate and spice undertones . Full-bodied , with surprising density , yet very polished and pretty . Should open up quite nicely after being in bottle for a few years . ($ 95 )

( 95 ) Dowdell Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2014 ( CA ). Rich black-currant aromas lead to big dark fruit fl avors with crushed stone and notes of tobacco that fi nish with soft and subtle tannins . Certainly a value for the price . ($ 65 )

( 95 ) Darioush Napa Valley Chardonnay ( CA ). The mouthfeel and depth of fl avor are the fi rst things that make you pause after the fi rst sip . You are then hit with rich butterscotch , a slight pop of apple and then a silky buttery fi nish . ($ 49.99 )

( 95 ) Quinta De La Rosa Douro Estate Red 2016 ( Portugal ). Deeply colored , with a berry , brambly nose , this outstanding example of a Douro Valley red has plenty of structure . It ’ s a versatile red , matching a number of dishes : meat from the grill , aged cheeses and more . ($ 20 )

www . beveragedynamics . com November / December 2018 • Beverage Dynamics 31