At this time of year, many questions come to mind. Is this gift the right color? Will they like this? What should I take for the meal?
With these queries in mind, I attended the recent Chairman’s Selection tasting. I didn’t find answers for everything I was wondering about, but I did find many good wines that will make great gifts and will match up with many a holiday feast.
Keep sipping,
Steve
White Wines
Bayten Sauvignon Blanc 2018, $9.99, Code #79140
Fresh, tangy unoaked white from Loire valley by way of South Africa. Clean, with grapefruit flavors.
Starmont Sauvignon Blanc 2017, $11.99, Code # 79136
Classic Loire grape from Napa Valley. Well-balanced with lemon, lime and mint accents.
Joao Cabral de Almeida Camaleao Alvarinho 2018, $11.99, Code #79125
Zesty wine from Iberia’s best grape. Good acidity with hints of peach and minerals. For seafood and shrimp.
Bourgogne Select Chardonnay Macon Villages 2018, $12.99, Code #79107
Tasty unoaked chardonnay from southern French Burgundy. Good depth and fruit. Versatile on your holiday table.
Divum Chardonnay Monterey 2016, $11.99, Code #79124
Creamy Cali white with great texture, fruit and hazelnut notes. Nice finish.
Raymond Reserve Selection Chardonnay 2017, $13.99, Code #79138
Stylish Cali chard. Great food wine with pear and honeysuckle. Great on the holiday table.
Red Wines
J. Wilkes Pinot Noir 2017, $16.99, Code #79132
Easy drinking pinot from Santa Barbara County. Cherry, berry and spice flavors dominate. Good bargain.
Boedecker Cellars Stewart Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2015, $19.99, Code # 79097
Well-balanced and subtle pinot done in a French style with wild berry and herbal flavors.
David Bruce Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2017, $26.99, Code #79152
Big Cali pinot from one of the West Coast’s best regions. Big fruit with great depth and long finish.
Domaine Les Verrieres Les Sept Fontaines 2014, $10.99, Code #79104
Fruit-driven blend from Landuedoc with classic Rhone varieties in a fresh, unoaked style.
Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz Lieu-Dit Malakoff, $15.99, Code #79154
Big Aussie shiraz from obscure wine region. Great fruit with balance plum and clove palate.
Luigi Bosca Malbec Single Vineyard Lujan De Cuyo D.O.C. 2016, $15.99, Code #80609
High quality malbec from Argentina. Big fruit, tame tannins, big alcohol. Great balance.
Cune Rioja Gran Reserva 2011, $19.99, Code #79100
Well-aged Spanish tempranillo. Well-balanced fruit and tannins. Good finish. Great food quaff.
Bersano Generala Barbera Nizza Riserva 2015, $14.99, Code #79128
Highly rated Italian red. Full-bodied and balanced with great fruit and nice finish. For Italian BYOBs.
Bersano Nirvasco Barolo 2015, $25.99, Code # 79129
Classic Nebbiolo from Piedmont region. Easy drinking with dried cherries and rose-petal nuances. Drink now or lay down for later.
Villa Mora Montefalco Sagrantino 2010, $17.99, Code #79076
Huge Umbrian red from a great vintage. Deep and dark with earth and cherry notes. Open, decant, pour.
Gabriel Meffre Domaine De Longue Toque Gigondas 2015, Code #79073
Classic blend from southern Rhone region. A good year with wines to match. Balanced and nuanced. Delicious.
