At the end of the year, most of us like to take stock (perhaps literally) of the outgoing year and to resolve to do what we didn’t do the last go-around – or to do it better.
As wine and spirits drinkers, that often means planning for more wine experiences – to learn more, explore more, sample more, and often to buy more.
If you fall into that category, perhaps this issue of The Dozen will give a few thought-starters.
2021 Theorem Moon Mountain Chardonnay ($195 for 3 pack) – Floral, yeasty aromas, very fresh and full-bodied with flavors of vanilla and honeycomb and a lemon citrusy finish – delicious.
2019 Moone-Tsai “Paige Cuvée” Russian River Valley Chardonnay ($464) – Stunningly good, lean and silky with flavors of white peach, Asian pear, vanilla bean and a finish with touches of hazelnuts and aged cheese. It should be forced upon anyone who says they hate Chardonnay (it will change their mind!).
NV Piper Sonoma Sonoma County Brut Rosé ($20) – Quite nice – rich in texture with mellow apple flavors and a hint of smoke and a crisp finish.
NV McBride Sisters “Black Girl Magic” California Brut ($24) – Lively flavors of sweet apple and Anjou pear, full-bodied, fragrant but a tad light in the finish.
NV J Vineyards Russian River Valley Brut Rosé ($42) – Lovely tart apricot flavors, great texture with tangy minerality and a great finish.
2020 Paula Kornell Napa Valley Blanc de Noirs ($50) – Like a grower Champagne in quality with a combination of elegance and assertiveness with lots of minerality, lemon and light vanilla flavors, and a long, lingering finish.
2022 Rabble Paso Robles Rosé ($18) – A one-note wine, but an enjoyable one, with cherry/citrus flavors and good acidity in the finish.
2021 Oberon Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon ($23) – Good flavors – jammy red and black fruits – but a little sweet and heavy on the finish.
2018 Argiano Brunello di Montalcino ($84) – Light on fruit but big on structure, with lots of tannins and great length of flavor – think Chianti Classico.
2019 Otronia Block I Patagonia Extrema Pinot Noir ($90) – Going south where it’s cooler – this wine is light in body and color with tart flavors of cherry, apricot and black raspberry.
2021 Theorem Moon Mountain Syrah ($435 for a 3 pack) – An excellent American version of old-time Syrahs from northern Rhone – crushed purple fruits with earthy and chocolate undertones.
World Whiskey Society “Doc Holliday” 6 Year Old Straight Bourbon ($105) – A beautiful Bourbon, very smooth in spite of the high ABV (58.5% at cask strength) and leaning toward the vanilla and light caramel end of the spectrum.
Prices listed are generally SRP or from wine-searcher.com. As more wineries are now shipping direct-to-consumer, check the winery website if you can’t find a bottle in your retail store.
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