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Wines for Gift-Giving
and Holiday Entertaining
Holiday gift giving always poses a great challenge for people to buy the most appropriate present to give friends or business partners. Wines, during this festive season are always appreciated. Wine plays a significant part in gift-giving, as well as, entertaining. This month, we will feature more pricey and special wines.
We have three excellent New Zealand Gewürztraminers, four California Merlots of 2004 vintage, and five Pinot Noirs from California. These Pinots are finer and richer than the 2004 vintages.
New Zealand Gewurztraminer
Wine Recommendations
BIRD, 2006 GEWURZTRAMINER, MARLBOROUGH, $16-$18
Bursting with strong threads of rose blossom. Moderately intense flavor of rose petal, litchi nut and lime blossom. Great length and persistence. 0.6% R.S. Drink through mid-2008. 669 cases.
SPY VALLEY, 2006 GEWURZTRAMINER, MARLBOROUGH, $20-$22
Luscious and fragrant with aromas of lychee, lime and apricot aromas. Full-bodied and fleshy. Features long, persistence finish. Drink through mid-2008.
VINOPTIMA, 2004 RESERVE GEWURZTRAMINER, ORMOND, $46-$50
Floral, refined and luscious. Features aromas of lychees, melon fruits and scented honey. Intense sweetness and tropical fruit flavors, accentuated by pineapple and mandarin orange. Drink through 2008.
Merlot Wine Recommendations
LUNA, 2004 MERLOT, HOWELL MOUNTAIN, $60-$64
Bright ruby red hue. Complex and full-bodied. Features the aromas of cassis, lead pencil, mineral, bitter chocolate and wild herbs. Taste of blueberry, toast, cedar, spicy oak, and plum. Long and tannic finish. Drink through 2012.
SWANSON, 2004 MERLOT, OAKVILLE, NAPA VALLEY, $32-$35
Powerful, concentrated. A Merlot of depth and structure. Aromas of black cherry, smoke, blackberry and espresso. Brimming notes of black currant, toasted oak, blackberry, tobacco and roasted nut. Drink through 2011.
STERLING VINEYARDS – Napa Valley
* 2004 MERLOT, THREE PALMS VINEYARD, $55-$59
* 2004 RESERVE MERLOT, $65-$68
The 2004 Merlot Three Palm features smoky herby and violet aromas. Taste of red berry, cherry fruit, laced with chocolate, black pepper and touch of fresh mint 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot. 6,146 cases.
the 2004 Merlot Napa Valley Reserve features a distinctive chicory aroma of blackberry, cherry fruit, chocolate and clove with subtle hints of black pepper. 8% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot. 997.5 cases. Drink through 2012.
Pinot Noir Wine Recommendations
GOLDENEYE, 2005 PINOT NOIR, MIGRATION, ANDERSON VALLEY, $30-$32
Firm yet youthfully reserved. Features a combination of red berries, red plums, smoke, white pepper. Aroma of ripe strawberry, raspberry, and Bing cherry. This is complemented by cinnamon, cola and vanilla. 4,440 cases. Drink through 2008.
DOMAINE CHANDON
* 2005 PINOT MEUNIER, CARNEROS, $30-$32
* 2005 PINOT NOIR, CARNEROS, $30-$35
Pinot Meunier is a closely related to Pinot Noir, and is largely used in making sparkling wines, in France’s Champagne district. The 2005 Pinot Meunier exhibits aromas of freshly ground white pepper, juniper berry and dried strawberry with earthy undertones. Tastes of raspberry, nutmeg, toast, cherry and spicy oak.
The 2005 Pinot Noir features the flavors of blackberry, cedar, dried sage, cinnamon and thyme. It is firmly textured and full-bodied with oaky tendencies. Drink through 2009.
TAZ, 2005 PINOT NOIR, CUYAMA RIVER, SANTA MARIA VALLEY, $28-$30
The Taz 2005 Pinot Noir features the scents of black fruit, cedar and tar. It also possesses balanced fruity flavors. Full-bodied and supple. Tasting of rose petal, black cherry, red currant, toast, vanilla and roasted nut.
BELLE GLOS
* 2005 PINOT NOIR, TAYLOR LANE VINEYARD, SONOMA COAST, $50-$54
* 2005 PINOT NOIR, LAS ALTURAS VINEYARD, SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS, $46-$50
The Pinots from Belle Glos gets more extraordinary! The Taylor Lane Pinot Noir features aromas of cherries, cola and mixed berries. It is bursting with ripe cherry and berries flavor, complemented with smoky end. The finish is persistent, long and rich. The Las Alturas Pinot Noir is fruit-forward, highlighted with oak tendencies. Tastes of wild berries with hints of smoke. Very long finish. Drink through 2009.
If you enjoyed these wine reviews, you
might also find the following wine resources
to be useful:
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