It’s the Holidays! Time for parties and get togethers to liven up the season.
But how do you know what wine to bring? Maybe your boss is a wine snob or you need to impress your partner’s parents with an exceptional bottle of wine. There are so many options out there!
Don’t Worry! We’ve prepared a list of wines sure to make a good impression no matter your budget!
Under $16
Guarda Rios Red Blend – Portugal
“Ripe vine fruits, blackberry, chocolate and vanilla on the nose followed by juicy acidity in the mouth with ripe, supple tannins and notes of black olive, tobacco and garrigue on the palate.”
Fontevecchia Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC Classico Superiore
A dry Italian white of great expression, elegant and very pleasant on the palate with notes of lime, white flowers, almond and Summer fruit.
$16 – $30
Rhone Red Blend – Santa Ynez Valley, Santa Barbara, Central Coast, California
This blend of 45% Syrah, 39% Grenache, 9% Mourvèdre and 7% Counoise offers lush aromas of violet, lilac, lavender, vanilla and blueberry on the nose. The palate offers plenty of black currant and spice flavors, with sandy tannins and fresh acidity holding it all in check.
Gamble Family Vineyards Sauvignon Blanc
from Yountville, Napa Valley, California
Earthy and dusty on the nose, this wine explodes into a palate of citrus peel, lime and grapefruit, with underlying exoticism in the form of honeysuckle, banana and papaya. Lengthy and fresh, it delivers light, balanced flavors that meld and complement, finishing in steely wet stone.
$30 – $50
VINA COBOS BRAMARE LUJAN DE CUYO MALBEC
Malbec from Mendoza, Argentina
Ruby red in color with dark violet hues. Complex aromas of wild thyme and rosemary, chamomile and violets integrate seamlessly with red currants and subtle hints of vanilla. The palate is vibrant and lifted, expressing a depth and energy unique to the vineyard site.
Hillick and Hobbs Estate Vineyard Riesling
Riesling from Finger Lakes, New York
Such an expressive nose of white peaches, nectarines, mandarin oranges, white flowers and vanilla. Grows with each swirl of the glass. Intensely racy palate that feels lighter than it is, because it’s so precise and vibrant, the lime and mineral freshness making the long dry finish mouthwatering. The first release from David and Paul Hobbs’ riesling project in the Finger Lakes.
$50+
Paul Hobbs Russian River Pinot Noir
Sonoma County, California
The 2019 Pinot Noir Russian River Valley offers a medium ruby/purple hue to go with a beautiful perfume of mulberries, black cherries, Asian spices, and roasted herbs. Playing in the medium-bodied end of the spectrum, it still brings plenty of fruit, with a great mid-palate and outstanding length on the finish.
Laurent-Perrier NV Ultra Brut (Champagne)
Very pale and crystal‑bright in color.
Intense and complex on the nose with a wide range of aromas, including fruits (citrus and white fruit), flowers (honeysuckle) and iodine notes, which give an impression of freshness.
This airy and delicate wine of surprising length is characterized by high purity of taste, and a long and non‑saturating finish.
Best served between 8°C and 10°C.
Collector Bottles
Quintessa 2019
Cabernet Sauvignon from Rutherford, Napa Valley, California
Wine Enthusiast 100 points
This is a winemaker’s master class in blending and understanding of a long-standing site. Dried herb, cedar and pencil shavings accent lifted red fruit and brilliant acidity on the palate, with a supple yet still youthfully grippy texture that is framed by structured, graceful tannins.
00 WINES Chardonnay, Willamette Valley ‘EGW’ 2019
James Suckling 97 points
Extremely aromatic, with intense flint, dried lemon and white peach. Crushed stone, too. Full-bodied with layered and creamy tannins that show super length and depth. Exciting to drink now but will age beautifully.
