Category: Recommendations

(Featured Image: Courtesy Sea Smoke Vineyard)

Chardonnay has something like a 30-year record as America’s favorite white wine. Its deserved reputation for greatness (particularly the white wines of Burgundy) undoubtedly is at least partly responsible for that popularity. Another likely reason consumers have been so drawn to the wine is it can be made in different styles to appeal to different tastes and occasions. Regardless of style, Chardonnays typically offer ripe fruit flavors of citrus, apple, pear, or tropical, and sometimes melon or fig.

Many wineries attempt to emulate the richness and depth associated with Burgundy, the benchmark for the grape. It used to be common in California for such wineries to go to extremes employing full malolactic fermentation (converts sharper malic acid to richer lactic acid) and 100% fermentation and aging in new oak barrels. Such wines are rare today. But the wines below still use significant amounts of these to great effect, deftly walking the line between richness and freshness.

Two single vineyard wines from MacRostie the 2012 “Wildcat” ($38), from an intemperate location in the Sonoma Coast and 2012 “Sangiacomo” ($44), from a historic and prized vineyard in Carneros are rich and full-bodied wines with oak influences but still loads of pure fruit.

Talbott Vineyards has pioneered modern viticulture and winemaking in Monterey since 1982. First with the extreme mountaintop Diamond T Vineyard and then the flagship Sleepy Hollow Vineyard, its wines have built a reputation for power and intensity. These 2012 wines also display impressive balance. The 2012 “Sarah Case” ($52) is an elegant special selection of the best lots from the Sleepy Hollow Vineyard. “Diamond T” ($52) shows the vineyard’s signature minerality and bracing acidity. The “Audrey” ($75) is a complex special selection of the best lots from Diamond T. Impressively, all are bottled in screw caps!

Migration is a winery in the Duckhorn family dedicated to exploring the Burgundian varietals chardonnay and pinot noir as they are expressed in top California growing regions. From 2012 there is a lush Russian River Valley ($32) and rich, intense single vineyard wines from the Charles Heintz Vineyard Sonoma Coast ($55), the Searby Vineyard in Russian River Valley ($55), and Dierberg Vineyard in Santa Maria Valley ($55).

I also found the purity of the 2012 Sea Smoke “Streamside” Santa Rita Hills ($60) from estate grown fruit and the concentration of the 2012 Sonoma-Loeb “Envoy” ($38),  which benefits from Sangiacomo fruit, to be excellent.

I often get comments from readers that I don’t write enough about affordable, everyday wines. Usually described in the wine magazines as “good values,” these days that generally refers to wines that deliver good quality for $20 or less. But I know many readers wish that meant $10 or less. Well, inflation is a reality and while there are countless wines that provide correct varietal character, clean fruit and a sense of character for a reasonable price – my definition of “good value” – in my opinion it is extremely difficult find them at $10 or less.

Still, I kick off this column with a collection of just such wines. As with many value wines they carry a “California” appellation since they contain fruit from many areas of the state. Many other value wines will list a county appellation like Sonoma or Santa Barbara. Don’t expect fancy single vineyard expressions. Do expect tasty, inviting wines that you’ll swear are worth more than you paid for them.

 Oak Grove. Founded in 1999, Oak Grove is sort of like a European négociant in this case searching all over California to source their fruit. The white wines are typically light and refreshing. On the other hand, the red wines in my tasting – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Zinfandel, Shiraz, and Petite Sirah – are full flavored and easy drinking. All are 2013 “Family Reserve” wines and priced at $8. What Oak Grove has achieved here is remarkable at this price.

Wente Vineyards. Family owned since 1883 in the Livermore Valley, the fifth generation is continuing the tradition of good value everyday wines. Wente was a pioneer of Chardonnay in California and released the first varietally labeled Chardonnay in 1936. They apply that expertise to many other varietals, including these fine values.

• 2013 Morning Fog Chardonnay ($15)
• 2012 Southern Hills Cabernet Sauvignon ($18)
• 2013 Louis Mel Sauvignon Blanc ($15)
• 2011 Sandstone Merlot ($18)
• 2012 Riverbank Riesling ($15)

Murphy-Goode. Located in the Alexander Valley region, Murphy-Goode is a family-owned winery – twice. Founded 30 years ago by three friends, the winery now is part of Jackson Family Wines, while the original families are still involved. Another producer of a wide range of wines, for the purposes of this column the value wines carry a California appellation. These include a solid 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($15), an inviting 2012 Merlot ($15), a silky 2013 Pinot Noir ($15), a fresh 2013 Pinot Grigio ($13), and a fruitful 2013 Chardonnay ($14).

Also look for the 2012 Homefront Red ($15), a nice six varietal blend whose sales benefit Operation Homefront, providing emergency and other financial assistance to the families of service members and wounded warriors.

Rodney Strong Vineyards. Founded in 1959 by Broadway dancer Rodney Strong and owned by Tom Klein since 1989, the winery has had the same winemaker in Rick Sayre since 1979. Throughout all this time, the winery has built its reputation on delivering quality and value at all price levels. This includes its Sonoma County designated wines – a characterful 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon ($20), a lush 2012 Merlot ($20), and a surprisingly complex 2013 Chardonnay ($17).

Renwood. This longtime Amador County winery has built a well-deserved reputation for Zinfandel but also can be a good source of affordable wines made from Rhone and Italian varieties. The value Zinfandels include the jammy, spicy 2012 “Premier Old Vine” Amador County ($20) and the briary, red fruited 2012 California ($15). The 2012 Clarion Red Blend ($20) combines equal parts zinfandel, petite syiah, syrah and marsanne into a seductive whole.

Byron. One of the viticultural pioneers of Santa Barbara County having planted the first vineyard to vinifera grapes in 1964, Byron has been in the forefront of winemaking achievement in the area ever since. The 2012 Pinot Noir Santa Barbara County ($19) and 2013 Chardonnay Santa Barbara County ($16) are fine introductions to the region.

Every winemaker says they believe “wine is made in the vineyard.” They talk about terroir and vineyard expression but that depends on decisions made by the winemaker in the cellar. Winemakers, whether they admit it or not, generally try to achieve a certain style.

California Cabernet Sauvignon is a good example of this. California Cabernet – especially from the Napa Valley – has become something of a phenomenon in recent decades with a general style of wine that emphasizes richness and concentration. Of course there are variations on the theme. Though, whether the wine is blended from multiple sources or a single vineyard, this style is recognizable in pronounced fruit, lavish oak (much of it new); a full body, supple texture, and refined tannins. Ideally, all this results in a wine that is enticing to drink now but can be aged and enjoyed for many years.

Duckhorn Vineyards has a 35-year history of producing what could be described as “quintessentially Napa Valley Cabernet.” Over the years, their portfolio has grown to include regional, appellation and single vineyard bottlings and has acquired a dedicated following. In 2011, Duckhorn successfully pulls off this style at all levels. The 2011 Napa Valley – the lowest priced offering at $60 – wraps sweet oak around juicy red fruit finishing with moderate but ample tannins.

The 2011 Rutherford Appellation ($95) displays more up front berry and currant fruit while the appellation’s signature dusty earth sensation melds well with strong tannins structured to evolve over time. The 2011 Monitor Ledge ($95) ups the ante with more intense fruit including a good 25% dose of merlot) balanced with 85% new oak and tough but manageable tannins. An intense drink now, it should develop some elegance and complexity over time.

But not everyone in Napa has jumped on the bandwagon. For a good style contrast look to the 2011 Grgich Hills Napa Valley Estate Grown ($60). Grgich Hills is known for producing wines in what generally is described as an “Old World” style. More like traditional Bordeaux, there is less of an emphasis on assertive fruit and more on lively acidity and firm structure. This is still Napa, so there is a sense of concentrated red fruits, but the Old World style asserts itself with stronger hints of earth and dried herbs. This certified organic and biodynamic wine is quite dry and should reward patience, as these wines typically evolve intriguing savory qualities.

Many wineries try to strike a balance between the two styles. The three below do a good job of combining the ripeness of California fruit with the nuances of Bordeaux. Basically, that means neither the fruit nor the oak hit you over the head. Instead, they join together to caress your palate. A good example is the 2012 Atalon Napa Valley ($35). There is plenty of red and black fruitbut also noticeable earth and herbal notes. The tannins are fairly soft, inviting early consumption. It finishes on a slightly (pleasantly) bitter note that should help it pair well with a variety of foods.

With the 2012 Sequoia Grove Napa Valley ($38) 11% cabernet franc and 10% merlot soften and round out the wine. Combined with firm acidity and intense fruit, we have what could be called a California expression of the Bordeaux style.

The 2011 Freemark Abbey Napa Valley ($44) – from one of Napa Valley’s oldest wine properties, having been established in 1886 – finds this new/old balance more through blending. It’s only 76 percent cabernet sauvignon with 18 percent merlot and dollops of cabernet franc, petite verdot and malbec. There is still plenty of lively Napa fruit, touches of creamy oak and fairly firm tannins. But none of these overwhelm. Instead, they compliment to achieve a seamless whole.

Sonoma County is the other California Cabernet powerhouse, especially with vineyards from Alexander, Sonoma and Dry Creek valleys.

The 2012 Rodney Strong Alexander Valley ($28) to my palate falls more into the New World” style. This bottling continues to be one of the best Cabernet values around. Its extravagant black fruits and toasty oak make for a fairly full-bodied, complex wine finishing with refined tannins. This enables it to entice the drinker into early consumption but also tempt you to wait a few years to see how it develops.

Another one of the better values in this price range, the 2012 Kendall-Jackson Sonoma County “Grand Reserve” ($30) even shows more woodsy, spicy complexity than one would expect to take the drinking experience beyond the wholly enjoyable berry fruit.

The 2011 Arrowood Sonoma County ($30) offering is mostly Sonoma Valley fruit with some Alexander Valley. It strikes a nice compromise (as in successfully melding different characteristics) between bright red fruit, fresh tannins and soft texture to achieve a result that encourages current consumption.

Whether you prefer wines with deep, jammy fruit and opulent oak or wines with more reserved fruit but a more complex array of flavor nuances. Or you like big, tannic monsters or wines with polish and finesse. This column hopefully has demonstrated there are outstanding California Cabernet Sauvignons that can accomplish both.

As I wrote recently, Paso Robles (“passage of the oaks”) arguably is the most interesting wine region in California, which makes it one of the most interesting wine regions in the world. One of the most appealing elements is that it isn’t just about, say good Cabernet Sauvignon, though there is plenty of that. It’s that so many less familiar taste experiences await you – including Zinfandel and a wide variety of Rhône-style wines.  While there are many good wines priced $15 and under, even the (increasingly more common) higher priced wines represent better values than comparable wines from better-known regions.Here is a rundown from my recent tastings.

J. Lohr. Jerry Lohr was a pioneer of modern Central Coast winegrowing and is one of the producers most responsible for the emergence of Paso Robles as a world-class wine region. Today, J. Lohr is one of the largest growers and wineries in the area producing over three-dozen different wines in a range of price categories.

I recently tasted several from the Rhône-inspired “Gesture” portfolio: a complex and spicy 2012 Syrah ($30), a ripe and woodsy 2012 Mourvèdre ($30), a crisp and creamy 2013 RVG (roussanne, viognier, grenache blanc, $30), a rich and juicy 2013 Viognier ($25), and a light, refreshing 2013 Grenache Rosé ($18).

Austin Hope. The Hope family has been farming Paso for nearly 40 years. Austin has lead the family’s venture into winemaking and produces a variety of wines under several different labels but the best are released under his own. The elegant and welcoming 2011 Grenache ($42), and powerful and succulent 2011 Syrah ($42) remind me why I have long been a fan.

Tablas Creek. In 1989, importer Robert Haas and the Perrin family of Château Beaucastel decided Paso Robles was the ideal place for their joint venture. They produce almost exclusively Rhône-style wines from organic, estate grown grapes. At all levels the wines are distinctive and represent excellent values.

Esprit de Tablas and Esprit de Tablas Blanc are the signature wines. They can rightly be called California versions of Château Beaucastel. The vines were propagated from cuttings from Beaucastel and like Beaucastel the red blend (2012, $55) emphasizes mourvèdre and the white blend (2012, $45) emphasizes roussanne.

The Côtes de Tablas tier was not represented in my tasting but can be described as a California version of good Cotes du Rhône. Similarly, the Patelin de Tablas line seems modeled after the lesser-known southern Rhône regions of Côtes du Ventoux (red) and Côtes du Luberon (white). Patelin de Tablas (2012, $20) is based on syrah; Patelin de Tablas Blanc (2013, $20) is based on grenache blanc. Tablas Creek also excels with varietal wines. I tasted two and both were very good: a bright and delicate 2012 Grenache ($40) and a lush and savory 2012 Roussanne ($35).

Paso Robles has become so highly regarded others want in on the act, like the wineries below.

Rabble Wine Company. Rob Murray, a grower for many years recently got into winemaking and looked to Paso Robles with two brands. Tooth & Nail deftly blends Rhône and Bordeaux varietals: cabernet sauvignon, syrah, petite sirah and malbec for “The Possessor” (2012, $27) and malbec and syrah for “The Fiend” (2012, $27). Force of Nature focuses more on varietals, like the concentrated and woodsy 2013 Cabernet Sauvignon ($23) and the lush, enticing 2013 Zinfandel ($23). Also, I don’t normally comment on labels but all of the Force of Nature labels but, as you can see here with the Zinfandel, Force of Nature’s labels are remarkable.

Halter Ranch. Crafting 100% estate-grown wines that are sustainably farmed, Halter Ranch also produces several Rhône and Bordeaux inspired wines worth seeking out. The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon ($32) was well made and satisfying.

Niner Estates. This winery has been producing wines made from sustainably grown estate grapes in its LEED Certified winery since the early 2000s. My tasting showcased a deeply fruited and focused 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Bootjack Ranch ($35), a velvety, earthy 2012 Malbec ($30) and an intense, savory and spicy 2012 Syrah ($30).

Clayhouse. Based in Washington State, the Middleton family established Clayhouse ten years ago. I tasted two really good values, both from the family’s Estate Red Cedar Vineyard: a nicely balanced, fruit forward 2012 Malbec ($14) and a 2012 Syrah ($14) loaded with berry fruit.

And these are just the beginning. With over 200 wineries and now 11 AVAs (geographically delineated American Viticultural Areas), not to mention numerous artisan food producers, a growing number of excellent restaurants and Firestone Walker brewery (when you need a break from all that great wine), Paso Robles is also a fantastic wine travel destination.

Whether you drink them with dessert, as dessert, or just to sip and and relax, sweet wines are appropriate throughout the year.  In this column, I give you some considerations for sweet wines to top your evening or anytime you desire a delicious dessert wine).

My first choice is Port. Sweet and red! And this time of year I just can’t resist it. The only challenge is there are a variety of styles, so it can be difficult deciding which to buy. This Portuguese elixir is a different sort of sweet wine. High alcohol (fortified with brandy) and bursting with red and black fruit flavors, it is powerful, even in styles that fashion a sense of elegance. The richness, intensity and natural sweetness balanced with refreshing tannin and finished with an alcoholic kick always warm my soul.

To many, the intensity and power of Vintage Port make it the most prized but it also usually is the most expensive approaching and sometimes exceeding $100 per bottle. A more affordable place to start is with a Ruby Port, the youngest and most accessible style. It is blended from several different vintages and offers fresh, straightforward, grapey fruit that is ready to drink upon release. Graham’s “Six Grapes” Reserve ($24) is one of the classics with its deep black fruits and aromas of ripe plums and dark cherries.

Or take a step up for Graham’s Six Grapes “Special Old Vines Edition” ($42), a very special elaboration of the style produced to commemorate 100 years of the Six Grapes emblem. It is more expensive but it’s pure cherry and berry flavors are concentrated yet fresh with a luscious     texture and hints of chocolate.

Some Port aficionados consider Tawny Port – known less for power and concentration than for complexity, purity and finesse – to be the ultimate expression of Port. Tawny Ports also marry several vintages but spend extensive time in casks, for periods ranging from ten to forty years.

While 20, 30 and 40 Year Old Tawnies are ethereal taste experiences; they also can cost from $50 to more than $100. For the best introduction to the style, 10-Year-Old Tawnies are the most accessible and affordable choice. I’ve been enjoying the Graham’s 10 Year Old ($36), which presents dried fruit notes (cherry and orange) that are still pure and vibrant, balanced with almonds, brown spices, and a touch of caramel.

Although some experiment with Port during a meal, it is best enjoyed slightly chilled at the end of the meal, either with dessert, cheese, dark chocolate or as dessert itself.

For those of you who prefer the lighter touch, though still quite rich nature of a white dessert wine, I suggest an Austrian from Kracher Wienlaubenhof. In recent years, Austria has drawn a lot of attention for its challengingly named but fresh, spicy and weighty Grüner Veltliner. What many people may not realize is that, like Germany, Austria produces some amazing sweet wines.

They typically also are labeled according to the same ripeness and sweetness levels as are German wines. And Kracher is the most famous name in Austrian wine.  A family-owned winery now on its third generation, Kracher is especially renowned for its dessert wines. Here are three special ones from the top three tiers that actually are reasonably priced.

As you go up this list of wines, they get sweeter, deeper and richer, increasingly complex and concentrated, potentially even influenced by the presence of botrytis. Again, these are enjoyed best with dessert or on their own but they actually can work well with spicy foods.

• 2011 Auslese Cuvée ($23, 375ml) 60% chardonnay, 40% welschriesling (unrelated to
  ermany’s riesling). A late harvest selection with bright and crisp peach, honey and lemon.

• 2011 Beerenauslese Cuvée ($34, 375ml) 60% welschriesling, 40% chardonnay. From individually selected berries, this one switches the grape ratio with the result of stronger honey notes, spice, balancing acidity.

• NV Trockenbeerenauslese ($28, 187ml) 55% welschriesling, 40% chardonnay, 5% traminer. From grapes so super ripe they are basically raisins with just a few drops per berry. They produce a wine so rich and lush with apricot and cream it is best drunk alone and savored in small doses.

Again, these wines are enjoyed best with dessert or cheese or on their own but they actually can work well with spicy foods. Enjoy!

When it comes to wine, South America is on the move.

Argentina has made a big splash with Malbec; Chile has made a lesser but still significant impact with Carmenere; and now Uruguay is poised to impress with Tannat. Tannat? You ask. Isn’t that a resident of an apartment building?

Actually, it is a good but underappreciated red wine grape. Tannat is best known as the principal red grape of the Madiran region in southwest France near the Pyrénées. In Madiran, wines made with tannat (named for its high tannin content) tend toward a more rustic profile – robust, tough, dark, dense, and tannic – with flavors of raspberry and benefitting from several years of aging.

In researching this column, I was impressed to find Uruguay is the fourth-largest wine-producing country in South America, behind Chile, Argentina, and Brazil. It is located on the Atlantic coast between Brazil to the north and Argentina to the south. Although wine grapes have been grown there for over 250 years, commercial winemaking dates to the 1870s with the arrival of Spanish immigrants. Thus, the introduction of tannat is attributed to Basque immigrants, as the grape is believed to have originated in northern Spain. In addition to tannat, mostly French grapes like cabernet sauvignon, merlot, sauvignon blanc, and viognier are grown. Also gaining favor among the whites is the Spanish grape albariño.

In contrast to Argentina and Chile, most Uruguayan wine is consumed by the county’s 3.5 million residents. And something like 90 percent of the grapes for that wine is grown in vineyards in the south of the country not far from the capital Montevideo and along the coast in the Canelones, Montevideo, Colonia, Maldonado, Florida and San Jose departments. The most important viticultural region is Canelones, a short drive from Montevideo (which also makes it convenient for tourists) but notable wineries are springing up inland to the west and east along the coast, including Carmelo, near the border with Argentina, and outside the resort town of Punta del Este on the coast.

And the over 200 wineries are almost exclusively small, family-owned producers. I’m told that Uruguay’s total annual production of 10 million cases is less than that of a single large producer in Chile or Argentina.

Similar to what has happened with malbec in Argentina, Uruguayan wineries’ use of more modern techniques in the vineyard and the cellar work to soften tannat’s harsher tendencies. Also, Uruguay’s warmer conditions (moderated by its coastal, maritime climate) encourage a longer growing season enabling the grape to ripen more reliably. The result typically is still quite intense and concentrated but more stylish, fresh and vibrant and can be enjoyed immediately upon release. I think I also detected savory qualities and pleasant bitterness.

The six Tannats in this tasting are reviewed in alphabetical order. Prices are estimates.

2012 Artesana Tannat ($16). American-owned and founded in 2007 in the Las Brujas district of Canelones, Artesana’s wines are made by its two women winemakers from its sustainably farmed, estate grown grapes. With twelve months in French and American oak, this wine shows strong aromas and concentrated flavors of dark plum, with hints of toasty oak, dusty and meaty notes, and brusque tannins.

2012 Bodega Garzón “Vartietales” ($16). named after the nearby town of Garzon in the Maldonado department about eleven miles from the ocean and the resort of Punta del Este, Bodega Garzón is a dramatic project including nut and olive groves, along with numerous outdoor activities. They are building what the winery says will be the first LEED-certified winery outside of North America. The wine is earthy with dark plum, graphite and charred notes on the nose. It’s riper with powdery tannins and a refined palate.

2013 Gimenez Mendez Alta Reserva ($28). This 75-year-old family winery owns vineyards in four areas of Canelones. This one comes from Las Brujas and presents smoke, meat, spice and racy prune in the nose followed by ripe fruit and a chewy texture on the palate.

2013 “Pueblo del Sol” Reserva ($16). From Familia Deicas, in the Juanico district of the Canelones department, the winery was founded in 1830 has become a leader in the Uruguayan wine industry. This is a rather straightforward but pleasing mix of prune, raisin fruit with accents of meat and chalk. The palate is smooth and fresh.

2013 “Don Prospero” Tannat Malbec ($20). The 105-year-old Pizzorno Family Estate in Canelones produced this 50/50 estate bottled blend showing ripe dark fruits with smoke and herbs. It drinks lively and juicy.

2011 Reinaldo de Lucca Reserve ($24). Located in the El Colorado district of the Canelones department, this is a family whose heritage reaches to Piemonte in Italy. The 75-year-old De Lucca is distinguished by its emphasis on sustainable practices. This wine is quite ripe, sporting a roasted and earthy quality with bright cherry fruit and a firm structure.

Clearly, Uruguay is set to emerge as a world-class wine and food destination. Foreign investment is funding exciting new wine projects, and some wineries are hiring high-profile consultants, such as Paul Hobbs, who is working for Juanico, Michel Rolland (Narbona) and Alberto Antonini (Garzon).

The wines are improving, the coastline is inviting and I keep reading the grass-fed beef is unparalleled (of course, certain Colorado ranchers might have something to say about that!). And the nation is taking another lesson from Argentina and more proactively promoting its wines, especially through Wines of Uruguay (who supplied the wines for this tasting). So expect better availability soon.

And Uruguay is forward looking beyond wine. Last year, The Economist named Uruguay Country of the Year, partly for legalizing same-sex marriage and partly for becoming the first country to legalize the production and the sale of marijuana, saying that those actions have “increased the global sum of human happiness at no financial cost.”

With improving quality and increasing promotion, especially through Wines of Uruguay (who supplied the wines for this tasting), Uruguayan wine is set to emerge on the international stage. Check it out!

Photo Credit: Featured Image Photo Courtesy of Duckhorn Vineyards

Did you get a gift card to a local wine shop this holiday season? Wondering what to do with it? Thinking it’ll be a nice treat to pick up something really good to save for a special occasion? Red or white, look down this column for some surefire options. These are the best wines I tasted this year that I haven’t already reviewed. If you really want to splurge, you

Given its pedigree and popularity, many of you likely will be on the lookout for a top notch California Cabernet Sauvignon. The Napa Valley winery Chappellet Vineyard, which has been producing at a high level since 1967, has the pedigree to match the grape. Its estate vineyards on Pritchard Hill produce classic mountain grown fruit – low yields and concentration. The 2012 Donn Chappellet Signature ($52) is a perfect example: dense but pure dark berries and firm tannins but great balance with an elegance inviting early consumption the structure to reward a decade of patience.

What about you Merlot lovers (or really anybody who loves red wine)? If you want to experience the heights of what West Coast Merlot can achieve, your search should begin with Duckhorn Vineyards, considered California’s premier Merlot producer for most of the last 40 years. The 2011 Three Palms Vineyard ($95), from the iconic vineyard on the northeast side of the Napa Valley floor, is the latest of what has been Duckhorn’s flagship wine since 1978. It offers layers of luscious red currant and cherry fruit with hints of toasty herbs and mocha spice. Like previous vintages, it has begun life tight and tough but is more appealing young than usual. Still, it will develop additional character and complexity with 5-10+ years time.

If you are a fan of the classic Burgundian varieties – chardonnay and pinot noir – a great winery for a splurge is Patz & Hall. This 26-year-old winery is a specialize in making single-vineyard and appellation specific Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines from some of California’s best vineyards. The 2012 Hyde Vineyard Chardonnay ($58) comes from the Carneros region and one of the state’s most renowned vineyards. It deftly balances crisp, zesty acidity with richness and generous fruit. It is big and bold but also shows floral, spice and mineral notes. Exuberant orange and lemon meet buttery richness.

The 2012 Jenkins Ranch Pinot Noir ($60), from a prized Russian River Valley Vineyard, is packed with sweet black cherry and raspberry accented with earthy, spicy and floral notes. An appealing savory character and a lush texture are balanced with a focused mouthfeel and vibrant tannin.

Speaking of pinot noir, those of you also attracted to sparkling wine should look for the 2012 Sea Smoke “Sea Spray” Blanc De Noirs ($80). Within just fifteen years, estate grown wines from Sea Smoke’s hillside vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills at the western end of the Santa Ynez Valley has become some of the state’s most sought after Pinot Noir. And now this dramatic sparkling wine joins the portfolio. It is 100 percent pinot noir made in the Champagne Method. Very dry and crisp but a rich, a creamy mouthfeel wraps bright raspberry and pink grapefruit.

Moving on to another continent, Australia long has been recognized as producing the best syrah-based wines (here it’s called shiraz) next to France’s Rhone Valley. So, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Michel Chapoutier (whose family is one of the great Rhone producers) would partner with the wine importer Anthony Terlato to produce wine here. It also shouldn’t be a surprise that after just ten vintages Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier has emerged as a perennial winery to watch. Their 2011 “lieu dit Malakoff” Shiraz ($50) shows its mountain-grown origins in the Pyrenees of Central Victoria with solid structure and intensity but also lively acidity. This Malakoff vineyard is sleek with fine tannins delivering juicy black fruits and savory, earthy, meaty notes with touches of chocolate and black pepper

The 2009 L-Block Shiraz ($60) is a special selection from a L-shaped parcel of Lieu Dit Malakoff. It is distinguished by dramatic aromas and flavors of wild berry, stone, white pepper and anise. Particularly full bodied and layered, its silky texture is just right for the succulent fruit.

Finally, if you really want to splurge, here’s the most expensive and arguably the best wine of this esteemed list. And don’t be surprised that it comes from Chile. Also, don’t be surprised it comes from Concha y Toro, Chile’s largest wine company. It’s the 2010 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon “Puente Alto Vineyard” ($125). This high-end label honors Don Melchor who created Concha y Toro in 1883. The vineyard is located in the Alto Maipo at the foot of the Andes Mountains, considered the best terroir for Cabernet Sauvignon in Chile. With 3% cabernet franc, it is balanced and fresh, mouth filling and sophisticated. Complexity is the key word for its aromas and flavors – black and red fruits, meat, herbs, baking spices, cocoa, oak and graphite. Fine tannins give it a lively lush texture but a firm finish. Eminently enjoyable now, it will age well for at least ten years. No wonder it was ranked #9 in The Wine Spectator’s Top 100. And with over 10,000 cases made, it should be the easiest of the wines in this column to find.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

America is a nation of immigrants. Not surprisingly, we have a long history of enjoying wines imported from other countries, especially Europe. For instance, some of us remember Thomas Jefferson as much for his love of French wine as for his founding father role. Of course, America’s best wines are made from vines that “immigrated” from other places, again primarily Europe.

So, this Thanksgiving I plan to share with my family several wines imported from European countries well known for their great wines.

From my own country of origin – Italy – I am looking forward to four Tuscan wines. From Castello di Nipozzano, a property that dates to the 11^th century and now is owned by Frescobaldi, one of the great families of Italian wine, the 2010 Riserva Chianti Rufina ($25) is a really good value. With its pure black fruit and herbal spice notes, it is full yet balanced enough to be easy drinking as it finishes with a refreshing palate.

The 2011 “Vecchie Viti” Chianti Rufina ($30) is another excellent value. Made with grapes from old vines, it ironically is a tradition in the Frescobaldi family to dedicate the wine to new borns in the family. It is aromatic and drinks with elegance offering bright red fruits, licorice and spice.

The other two wines I’m interested in give a nod to Italy’s neighbor France by blending the native sangiovese with small amounts of French varieties. The 2011 Brancaia Tre Rosso ($23) (as its name indicates) melds three grape varieties – sangiovese, merlot and cabernet sauvignon – from Brancaia’s three Tuscan estates into a sleek whole with cherry fruit and touches of spice and chocolate with roasted notes.

From Castello Banfi’s estate vineyards in the southern hills of Montalcino, comes another modernistic assemblage – its name means “dark beauty” signifying a cuvee of red grape varieties primarily sangiovese with small amounts of French varieties. The 2011 “BelnerO” ($29) delivers tasty black cherry and plum accented with vanilla, coffee and light mineral notes, reflecting the area’s stony, calcareous terroir.

Bordeaux in France is one of the most celebrated wine regions in the world. Beyond the expensive wines of the famous chateau, though, is a lot of sound, affordable wine. I’m especially intrigued with the 2012 Les Hauts de Lagarde ($13), which is made from organically grown grapes and is non-GMO verified by the Non-GMO Project. Its 65% merlot, 25% cabernet sauvignon, and 10% cabernet franc yield a soft drink with a touch of oak, a smoky, earth character and pretty plum and cherry fruit.

On to Spain and the value theme of this column continues. The 2010 Bodegas Iranzo “Vertus” ($12) is another wine made from organically grown grapes and verified non-GMO. Iranzo, with vineyards in the hills just west of the Mediterranean coast near Valencia, claims to be Spain’s oldest estate bottled winery dating back to 1335. The wine is 100% tempranillo and a Crianza (meaning aged six months). The result is fresh red berries, raisin and savory notes with a soft but tight texture.

Although the 2009 CUNE Rioja Reserva ($28) is twice the price of the Vertus, it is well worth the extra investment. It comes from a winery founded in 1879 and still family-owned and -operated. It is 85% tempranillo (with the rest equal parts mazuelo, graciano and garnacha) and the extra time in barrel and bottle (minimum total of three years for Reserva) produces a nicely balanced wine. While it still exhibits fresh, bright black and red berries, it is offset with a touch of earth and drinks elegant, yet lively.

Finally, I really like these outstanding “einwanderers” from Germany. For my money, German Riesling is the ideal white wine for Thanksgiving (or anytime of year!). As luscious and delicious as are the riper and sweeter Spätlese and Auslese, it is the off-dry Kabinett that is most suited to drinking with the widest variety of foods.

Making wine in the Mosel Valley since 1561, the wines of Friedrich-Wilhelm-Gymnasium have been a favorite choice of mine for many years. The 2012 Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett ($22) is delightful with its crisp lemon, peach, apricot, green apple and pear; and I even think I can taste the blue slate minerality that is the hallmark of this vineyard.

From the Mittelrhein, an area sandwiched between the more famous Mosel and Rheingau, the Weingart estate has produced a 2012 Bopparder Hamm Engelstein Kabinett that is a particular treat. With the exceedingly steep slopes of the area, it is not surprising relatively few attempt viticulture here. But I’m sure glad Florian Weingart has accepted the challenge. This wine, marked “feinherb +” to indicate it is a little sweet, is quite racy with juicy pear, apple, and lemon, followed by intriguing spiciness.

The 2011 Von Winning Riesling “in Deidesheim” ($20) comes from a winery founded in 1849 in the Pfalz region (stretching south of the Rheingau). This one is bracing with citrus, green apple and pear and an underlying hint of minerality.

Happy Thanksgiving to all, whatever you are drinking!