At this time of year, the mailbox seems to fill with catalogs.
Glossy pages of gift ideas catch the eye with everything from baskets of food to warm flannel clothing. I was wondering if I would see a wine catalog. Then I attended a Chairman’s Selection Tasting and decided to make my own.
I hope you enjoy what I’ve created. The thought is to share my notes to make it easy for wine lovers to find the perfect gift or even match a bottle with a holiday meal.
Keep sipping,
Steve
White Wine
Maison Jean Hauteville Chablis Vieilles Vignes 2016, code #78789, $19.99
Tasty, unoaked Chard from French Burgundy. Green apples and citrus on a clean palate. For seafood.
Nielson by Byron Chardonnay 2015, code #78909, $9.99
Easy-drinking white wine from Santa Barbara County. Nice combo of buttery oak and lemon at a bargain price.
Rosè Wine
Chateau Ferry Lacombe Haedus Rose Cotes de Provence 2017, code #78900, $12.99
Unoaked blend of four grapes from southern France. Great palate scrubber.
Red Wine
Solena Estate Grande Cuvee Pinot Noir 2015, code #78905, $17.99
Savory, minerally pinot with notes of clove and spice.
Carden Pinot Noir 2012, code #78903, $29.99
Spicy Oregon pinot with good fruit and finish. Matches up with turkey.
Cellier Terres Blanches Intuition Cotes du Rhone 2017, code #78883, $9.99
Well-balanced bargain red. Classic southern Rhone blend.
Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz-Viognier 2015, code #78892, $11.99
Fruity Aussie red with sweet mid-palate and soft balanced finish. A unique shiraz to drink now.
Matetic Vineyards Corralillo Syrah 2014, code #78878, $14.99
Smooth Chilean syrah with good fruit, nuance and balance. My choice for red meat or turkey.
El Esteco Don David Reserve Malbec 2016, code #78904, $9.99
Unique fruity malbec from Argentina. Spicy with tannins in check.
Duca di Saragnano Rosso di Montepulciano 2016, code #78887, $10.99
Nice Italian red from Tuscany to match pasta with red sauces.
Castello di Gabbiano Chianti Classico Reserva 2013, code # 78913, $13.99
Good solid Tuscan blend with deep fruit and great balance.
Gabarda Seleccion 2015, code #78911, $10.99
Unique Spanish blend, fruity with well-balanced tannins and a silky finish.
Contino Rioja Reserva 2014, code #78895, $29.99
Classic Spanish blend with cherry, strawberry and vanilla flavors. Dry, clean finish.
Los Frailes Sinergia Cabernet Sauvignon 2014, code #78888, $16.99
Noble Bordeaux grape done in uncommon Spanish style. Ripe and ready to drink.
Cafaggio Basilica del Cortaccio Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, code #78939, $24.99
Noble Bordeaux grape from Tuscany. Velvety fruit, well structured. French roots, Italian style.
Carden Cabernet Sauvignon 2013, code #78902, $24.99
Classic cab from Washington state. Cola nose and cassis mid-palate with smooth and easy drinking.
Mark Herold Wines Collide 2014, code #78886, $16.99
Crazy-quilt Cali blend that hits the high notes. Dark and supple, controlled heat even at 15.4-percent alcohol.
Havens Winery Bourriquot Red Wine 2015, code #78908, $19.99
Right-bank blend from Napa Valley. Dark berries lead to long finish with amazing balance and long fruit finish.
