So, maybe you got a gift card or some cash over the holidays and you decide to treat yourself to an exceptional wine – something for a special occasion, a bottle you’ve always wanted but couldn’t afford, or maybe something that says “good riddance 2020; let’s get 2021 off to a better start”. The following suggestions are the best wines I tasted this year that I haven’t already reviewed.
Your first impulse may be to pick up a highly coveted Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 Spottswoode St. Helena Family Estate Grown ($225) While this estate dates to 1882, it has been producing wine under the current ownership since 1982. Notably, it was one of the first wineries to convert to organic growing in 1985 and has built a system of sustainability that also includes biodynamic methods. Now, Spottwoode’s estate Cabernet Sauvignon is consistently ranked as one of the most respected and sought-after Napa Cabs. This wine meets expectations with depth and concentration balanced with finesse and elegance. There is a layered complexity of multiple dark fruits, spices and herbs presented with dynamic energy that glides along a fine-grained texture.
2017 Chappellet Hideaway Vineyard ($125) Producing highly prized wines since 1967, especially Cabernet Sauvignon from its Pritchard Hill Estate, Hideaway is a single vineyard wine from secluded, rocky slopes of the estate. Luxurious oak is integrated nicely with forceful dark berries and mocha and tobacco notes. Its satiny palate ensures all this complexity coheres with grace and harmony.
2017 Turnbull Oakville Reserve ($85) Established in the heart of the Napa Valley in 1979, Turnbull has intentionally remained small and focused on Bordeaux varieties, especially cabernet sauvignon. This wine is fashioned from two estate vineyards in the Oakville appellation. It deftly balances intense dark fruits with a graceful texture. Rich fruit is complimented with woodsy notes and luscious oak.
Kendall-Jackson Stature Sonoma County ($100) Stature showcases the pinnacle of Kendall-Jackson winemaking with grapes that are estate sourced from the mountains, hillsides and ridges of Alexander Valley and Knights Valley. Featuring intense dark berry notes delivered on velvety tannins, this plush wine offers notes of tobacco, underbrush, sweet oak, chocolate and licorice leading to a nice, long finish.
2016 Duckhorn The Discussion ($155) This conversation among cabernet sauvignon (55 percent), merlot (43 percent), cabernet franc and petit verdot (one percent each) from the best lots of Duckhorn’s six best estate vineyards is rich, structured and concentrated, yet graceful with inviting oak and savory accents. Though it is drinking nicely with integrated tannins, additional time will allow its elements to resolve into a to fine consensus.
Looking to Europe, here are three Italian stars and a French luminary:
2016 Pio Cesare Barolo ($82) This family-owned producer since 1881in the Alba commune of Piemonte takes care to shape a classic interpretation of Barolo from its nebbiolo vineyards. This offering, an estate blend from five communes in the Barolo zone, is an excellent representation of the nature of Barolo with brisk acidity and firm tannins, yet elegance and bright fruit. It is enticingly fragrant and offers deep, dark fruit with mint and smoky notes. Well-integrated tannins deliver acidity and intensity. Is there such a thing as restrained richness?
2015 Castiglion del Bosco Brunello di Montalcino ($70) This estate in the Montalcino zone of Tuscany is notable for its history (dates to the 12th century) and its size (5,000 acres including forest, resort and golf course). It has been owned by Massimo Ferragamo (of the shoe and fashion dynasty) since in 2003. The estate employs natural viticulture in growing the native sangiovese and has now been certified organic. The wine shows precise and energetic fruit balanced with a sense of richness as its intensity glides smoothly over the palate. It reveals complex herbs and spices and finishes with fine, dusty tannins.
2015 Castello Banfi Brunello di Montalcino ($80) Established in 1978 with the purchase of the medieval Castello Poggio alle Mura (which dates to at least 1438) and subsequently neighboring properties, its American owners restored the castello and have transformed the property into a leading producer of Brunello. Today, production is organic and the estate has been recognized for its environmental, ethical and social responsibility initiatives. This wine features bright red fruits, with almond, licorice, tobacco and spice notes. Its intensity glides on a silky texture finishing tight and long.
2017 Domaine des Tourettes Hermitage ($99) This northern Rhône estate is owned by producer Delas Frères, which dates to 1835. The Domaine des Tourettes Hermitage is the first wine to be produced exclusively from the estate’s vineyard farmed on the famous hill that overlooks the town of Tain-l’Hermitage. A blend of wines from three specially selected plots, this full-bodied cuvée offers intensely vibrant red fruit, with typically meaty, smoky, lightly peppery notes. A creamy palate reveals tannic grip.