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.