WINE SELECTIONS • THE BEST WINES OF 2018
( 95 ) Talley Rincon Vineyards 2015 ( CA ). Perfect combo of minerality and butter . Rich , silky , elegant with a super-long fi nish . Aromas are like a fi eld of wildfl owers . A true treat . ($ 45 )
( 95 ) Twomey Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2015 ( CA ). Absolutely stellar , elegant and seductive pinot noir from the Silver Oak people . Silky , smooth , aromatic ripe berries and a long , luscious fi nish . ($ 50 )
( 95 ) Gran Moraine Pinot Noir 2015 ( OR ). This dark , red-hued pinot noir opens with a ripe black cherry bouquet with hints of raspberry , tea and cigar box . On the palate , this wine is medium-bodied , balanced , refi ned and smooth . The fl avor profi le is a gentle red plum , fl inty minerality , notes of black cherry and a hint of cinnamon . The fi nish is smooth and dry , while its fl avors fade away nicely . ($ 55.99 )
( 95 ) Paradigm Merlot 2013 ( CA ). Strong aromas of red berries , black cherries , spice and vanilla lead to an outstanding wine with elegant ripe plum and blueberry . Complex fl avors also include rich blackberry cobbler , with the berries , brown sugar and vanilla , along with sandalwood incense and a hint of cocoa . This is an impressive wine with big , yet fi ne , texture and a lengthy fi nish . ($ 59.99 )
( 95 ) The Mascot 2012 ( CA ). Wonderful aromas on the nose of raspberries , currants , spice and vanilla , with subtle hints of stone and graphite . On the palate this wine opens up to blackberries , slight herbal notes of tarragon , with gripping-yet- elegant tannins and a balanced acid that creates an amazing long fi nish . ($ 130 )
( 95 ) Hagen ’ s Reserve Cabernet 2015 ( CA ). This stunning cabernet is a packed with power and elegance , with notes of raspberry and dark cherry , all held up with tannic backbone . With all its youth and power this is sure to age beautifully and will improve — but the wine is showing fantastically today . ($ 79.99 )
( 94 ) Abstracto Fifth Empire Cabernet Sauvignon Gran Vino 2017 ( Argentina ). A fl a- vor-packed explosive wine that jumps out of the glass with richness and a taught powerful texture . The French oak gives great structure to the main show of overwhelming raspberry and dark cherry notes . The fi nish just keeps going . ($ 29.99 )
( 94 ) Keenan Napa Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ( CA ). This complex Napa cabernet sauvignon offers extracted rich fruit fl avors of currant , cassis , black cherry and blackberry . There is a hefty mouthfeel mid-palate giving way to some rustic fl avors , black licorice , kirsch and spice . The fi nish lingers with a fair amount of tannins . Ready to drink now , but will age well for another seven years . ($ 55 )
( 94 ) Sonoma Loeb Pinot Noir 2016 ( CA ). This is bright , intense , red fruit-dominated pinot noir is stunning with more than enough fresh acidity and beautiful texture to make this a standout . The elegance is striking and plentiful because of the lengthy fi nish . ($ 34.99 )
( 94 ) Aubry Brut Premier Cru Champagne NV ( France ). This is not your typical non-vintage brut . A blend of ancient indigenous varieties , which make up 5 % of the blend ; pinot meunier accounts for 45 %, the balance in equal parts pinot noir and chardonnay . The taste is like an essential champagne , with scents of chalk , mushroom , pear and lemon curd creating a bold surround sound of fl avor . There ’ s purity to the expression and a healthy weight to the wine . ($ 48.99 )
( 94 ) Aperture Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ( CA ). This barrel-fermented white is blended with 5 % sauvignon musqué for an interesting twist on this variety . The wine has light , inviting apple blossom aromas . It demonstrates a refreshing complex arrangement of hay , honey , apple , savory fi g and lemon curd . A chardonnay-lover ’ s sauvignon blanc . ($ 46.99 )
( 94 ) Blackbird Paramor Red Blend 2007 ( CA ). A wonderful red blend with nuance of spice , red pepper , cassis and oak on the nose . The palate showcases the rich plums , blackberries and graphite with a fi nish of beautiful , dense , yet smooth tannins , with slight basil and dried fruit lingering minutes later . ($ 90 )
( 94 ) Daou Paso Robles Chardonnay 2015 ( CA ). A beautifully balanced chardonnay from Paso Robles . It has a rich mouthfeel of butter and a hint of caramel with pops of tropical fruit and acidity . An amazing wine for dishes with butter as a theme . ($ 20.99 )
( 94 ) La Serena Toscana Rosso 2015 ( Italy ). Intriguing aromas of wild berries , cherry and spice with inviting fl avors of cherry , mocha and vanilla giving way to hints of black pepper and exotic spice . Full-bodied and well balanced . A lot to like for the price . ($ 35 )
( 94 ) Malleolus Tempranillo 2014 ( Spain ). Emilio Moro Bodegas has been around a long time . Still family owned , it generates some of the best tinto fi no in Spain . Light earth , dark berries and perfectly integrated tannins carry this jewel to a long , lingering fi nish . Think clams and chorizo . ($ 46 )
( 94 ) Vista Red Blend 2017 ( CA ). The nose screams dark chocolate and fresh blue fruits . The palate coats your mouth with black and blue fruits . The dusty minerality rounds out the medium fi nish on the wine . I don ’ t know how a $ 12.99 wine from Atlas Peak AVA exist , but I ’ m glad it does . This is hands down the deal of the year . ($ 12.99 )
( 93 ) Averaen Pinot Noir 2017 ( OR ). This wine is loaded with dark cherry and earthy spice . Loads of acidity bring this insane value of a wine full circle and checks all the boxes . ($ 19.99 )
( 93 ) Butternut Chardonnay 2017 ( CA ). Apple , pear and buttercream on the nose lead to a creamy , buttery fi nish . The oak seems to be dialed back a touch this year and it really lets the fruit shine through . ($ 15.99 )
( 93 ) Requiem Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ( WA ). I ’ m not sure the guys at Banshee make a bad wine . Their new project out of Washington is setting the bar high . Somehow they have packed fruit from Champoux , Wallula , Sevein and Loess Vineyards into a $ 20 wine . Aromas of dark berry , cedar and plum on the nose with chocolate , blackberry and a nice earthy funk on the nose . ($ 19.99 )
( 93 ) Daou Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 ( CA ). A wonderfully balanced and yet complex wine . Rich berry fruit are complimented with a hint of cedar and a slight , yet pretty herbaceous note . This is a substantial cabernet that over delivers for the price . ($ 29 )
( 93 ) Pride Mountain Vineyards Merlot 2015 ( CA ). Aromatics of licorice , leather and blackberries jump out of the glass . On the palate you get plum , raspberries and cocoa all up front ,
32 Beverage Dynamics • November / December 2018 www . beveragedynamics . com