So, maybe you got a gift card or some cash over the holidays and you decide to treat yourself to an exceptional wine – a bottle you’ve always wanted, for a special occasion, or maybe something that says, “good riddance 2024”. These are the best wines I tasted this year that I haven’t already reviewed.
Rhys Vineyards, based in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is an elite Chardonnay and Pinot Noir producer and these 2021 single vineyard wines prove it. As a group, they are vibrant, deeply fruited, clearly delineated, and reflective of their vineyards. Chardonnays show concentrated citrus, energy and focus. Pinot Noirs exclaim red fruit, especially cherry and raspberry with refined texture. These wines are sold primarily to their mailing list. But if you can get your hands on any of them, you won’t be disappointed.
Alpine Pinot Noir ($135) amazing expansive fruit, leather, firm acidity, fine texture
Horseshoe Pinot Noir ($135) impressive succulent fruit, floral, bright, minerality
Horseshoe Chardonnay ($125) outstanding luscious fruit, stoney notes, creamy rich
Mt. Pajaro Pinot Noir ($105) enticing floral, mouthwatering, herbs, welcoming tannins
Mt. Pajaro Chardonnay ($95) striking vibrancy, power, bright, minerality
Bearwallow Pinot Noir Anderson Valley ($105) terrific juiciness, earthy, powdery tannins
2021 Skipkstone “Preface” Proprietary Red Alexander Valley ($85) Skipstone crafts limited-production Bordeaux-focused varietal wines and blends from its certified-organic Alexander Valley estate within the newly declared Pocket Peak appellation. This one is cabernet sauvignon, malbec, merlot, cabernet franc blended to be accessible now – with succulent black fruits, notes of coffee and fig.
2021 Black Kite Gap’s Crown Vineyard Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast ($70) Black Kite is a small, family-owned winery dedicated to producing the finest Pinot Noir and Chardonnay sourced from prestigious vineyards in the Anderson Valley and Sonoma Coast. This stunning wine is generous and mouthfilling with vivid black cherry, vanilla, baking spice and a velvety finish.
Flora Springs 2023 “Soliloquy” White Blend ($70) and 2021 Trilogy Red Blend ($100) These are Flora Springs’ flagship wines. Soliloquy, primarily sauvignon blanc, with malvasia and chardonnay, offers green apple, citrus, honeydew mixed with vanilla and oak. Trilogy, cabernet sauvignon with dollops of petite verdot and malbec, is filled with concentrated dark fruits with mint and a luscious, refined texture.
2022 Odette Reserve Chardonnay Napa Valley ($80) Part of the PlumpJack Collection of Wineries, this was crafted from the famed Hudson Ranch in the Carneros appellation. Fresh stone fruit and tropical notes showcase sharp acidity with accents of nuts and custard.
Finally, a book recommendation: Rosé Revolution by Rasmus Emborg and Jens Honoré ($45). As Rosé wine popularity has grown significantly in recent years, this coffee-table homage to all wine pink is an ideal companion as you sip that from that glass. The authors take us around the world of Rosé with winemaker explanations, insights and stories, and dramatic photography.