The 100 most amazing wines in Sonoma CountyFounder Richard Arrowood gave this wine its name to indicate it had “special reserve” quality. It still does, though under Jackson Family Wines ownership. At 100% cabernet sauvignon, it makes a bold statement in the glass, with sizeable tannins for long-term cellaring, yet enough suppleness that it can be enjoyed now. Inviting aromas of violets and spice lead to dark fruit that’s expressive without being over-ripe; extended barrel aging adds vanilla, spice, toffee and semisweet chocolate to the mix.

The 100 most amazing wines in Sonoma CountyWho says a large-volume wine can’t be wonderful? La Crema, a major brand in the Jackson Family Wines portfolio and whose bottlings span several regions, used Sonoma Coast grapes in this widely available, terrific-value wine that deserves its Top 100 stripes. There is brightness and verve to it, a mingling of orange marmalade, tangerine, peach, fennel and hazelnut, in a compact, mouthwatering package.

The 100 most amazing wines in Sonoma CountyTake a trip to the tropics with this wine, which puts vibrant pineapple and mango fruit in a bowl, adds zesty citrus, toasty brioche and hazelnuts, and lets natural acidity keep it all fresh. Jeff Stewart makes several chardonnays for Hartford, each with its own personality; this one is both exuberant and polished.

Zinfandel may have its detractors among those who regard it as an old workhorse grape, but when taken seriously, as does Hartford, it is a full-blown expression of a long history of California winemaking. The name Highwire derives from the vineyard’s trellising systems by which half of the parcel is head-trained and half is trained on a high wire trellis strung between each vine, permitting greater sun exposure and promoting even ripening. It’s a blockbuster at 16.1% alcohol, so you have to want to drink a wine of that density, with all its characteristic licorice spices, so it makes a capital choice for sweet flavors often found in holiday food.

This is a straightforward Saint-Émilion (Lassègue always is) with all of the richness that you expect from a grand cru, made by Pierre Seillan and his son, Nicolas. It is a blend of 62% Merlot, with 35% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon for tannin, and its price is an added value for a wine of this distinctive character, which goes very well with roast goose or prime rib. It can certainly age for two or more years.

Maggy Hawk Unforgettable Pinot Noir 2018 was exactly the color pinot should be in the glass, a little ruby on the edge and a darker purple in the bottom of the glass. Cherry cola, eucalyptus and an iron-based minerality unraveled at the finish.It’s a prime example of wines from Anderson Valley’s Deep End, an area that captures the many mysteries of pinot noir so well.

20th anniversary 2018 vintages from Vérité2018 Le Désir has a dark inky appearance with a violet hue that extends to the rim. The compelling characteristics of Cabernet Franc are expressed on the nose and palate with flavours of crunchy cranberry, ripe raspberry, red currant, dried sage, crushed mint, and cinnamon bark; followed by spice cake, subtle vanilla liquor, and singed toast.

20th anniversary 2018 vintages from Vérité2018 La Joie displays a brilliant violet core with a thin rim of bright ruby. Generous fruit-forward aromas of ripe black currant and black cherry are followed by earthy notes of fresh conifer, dried mushroom, black olive, dusty clay, anise and clove.

20th anniversary 2018 vintages from Vérité2018 La Muse radiates a deep ruby-violet colour, which gives rise to perfumed aromas of ripe red and black plum, new leather, violet blossom, and freshly turned clay, framed by sweet baking spices and subtle toast.

The 10 Best Oregon Pinot Noirs to Enjoy Right NowRosé is fast becoming a favorite wine for the Thanksgiving table due to its food-friendly, versatile nature. Marry the best of both worlds with this rosé of pinot noir. Strawberry and ripe berry fruits meet delicate floral tones, but there’s a streak of savory minerality that makes this complex quaffer a great match for the feast.

The 10 Best Oregon Pinot Noirs to Enjoy Right NowFounded in 1988, Penner-Ash’s 15 acres of LIVE-certified estate vineyard continues to produce riveting pinots. Blackberry, pepper, and violets on the nose give way to concentrated fruit on the palate. Though fruit-forward, there’s a lightness to the wine, with fine-grain tannins that provide a lovely texture.

23 Luxe Host Gifts for When You Really Need to ImpressFor the Francophile oenophileChâteau Lassègue is enviably nestled on the Côte de Saint Émilion in Bordeaux. Seventh-generation vigneron Pierre Seillan and his son Nicolas Seillan, using 50-year-old vines planted in clay and limestone-rich soil, have released a deliciously silky, beautifully rounded 2017 Grand Cru with notes of cassis and violet that is both highly drinkable now and a great candidate for aging. Ahead of the curve in prioritizing sustainability, the vineyard is notable for melding age-old traditions with responsible environmental practices.

Nine Great Wines for Thanksgiving, Your Family, and the PlanetHere’s your essential pinot, a silky-textured, red cherry-inflected, full-bodied red from a sustainability pioneer. The Jackson family co-founded the International Wineries for Climate Action in 2019 to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Bottles contain 50% recycled glass.

Pinot Noir — A Global Love AffairBest of Australia

Pinot Noir — A Global Love AffairBest of California

Your ultimate holiday wine guide: 50+ budget friendly bottles you can find at Dallas stores.

Your ultimate holiday wine guide: 50+ budget friendly bottles you can find at Dallas stores.

Tropical aromas. Apple and citrus on the palate, just a bit creamy, well-balanced, with lively acidity and a lingering finish. Very good.

The 15 Best Wines to Serve for Thanksgiving This YearThe Anderson Valley is one of few places left in California cool enough to pull off a mesmerizing Pinot Noir. This exemplifies that, a detailed wine chock-full of delicacy. This is the wine you pour to accompany the turkey, but also enjoy on its own, as it beams with layer upon lasting layer.

Slightly darker in colour, fuller in body, and a touch more on the dry side, this Pinot still qualifies as medium-bodied but carries more weight with plenty of black fruit on the nose. The flavour is a complex melange of sweet and sour cherries along with raspberry and that characteristic metallic finish. Its well-structured and lasting acidity would cut the richness of mushroom risotto or grilled pork beautifully.

These 8 sparkling wines will make your holiday season merry and brightFrom Oregon’s Willamette Valley, this blend of 57% chardonnay and 43% pinot noir follows the Champagne blueprint. Expect a lot more freshness on the nose and palate, with a dynamic minerality but also a creamy texture and acidity. Try it with duck with a balsamic reduction, or a pureed squash soup.

In a word? Crushable. However, this nuanced, elegant pinot noir is so much more than just an easy drinker.On the nose, you are immediately hit with notes of bright, fresh, red fruits including cherry, strawberry and cranberry. As it opens up, aromas of sour cherry candy and coffee emerge.The first sips are equally full of beautiful red fruit with an immediate punch of cherry, followed by a distinct taste of baked strawberry and rhubarb. The eight months in a barrel soon become apparent, as gentle flavours of vanilla, cocoa, and coffee come through to create a mocha flavour. The mouth feel is velvety smooth and the tannins are so soft, they are hardly apparent. The long-lasting finish imparts noticeably refreshing acidity and leaves a taste of sour cherry and pomegranate. This crowd-pleasing wine is a prime example of what makes Sonoma one of the most well-respected homes of New World pinot noir. The renown and versatility of this wine make it an excellent choice for any occasion as it can be appreciated by the wine snob and the casual wine crusher alike.

21 inexpensive Christmas gift ideas for coworkersA bottle of wine can never go amiss as a Christmas present and this classic Californian chardonnay will tick the boxes for anyone who loves that oaky, buttery, west-coast taste. With notes of pineapple, mango, and papaya that blend with subtle vanilla and honey ,and a finish of toasted oak and butter, your teammate will be left thinking this is a lot more expensive than it really is—making this a great Christmas gift for neighbours too!

I’ve stocked up on this wine because it’s a favorite with several family members. Aromas of black cherry, blackberry jam, and cedar are followed by flavors of strawberry, boysenberry, and sassafras. The 2019 vintage presents balanced acidity and plush tannins. It can be served with the holidays’ roasted meats, with prosciutto and mushrooms or cured black olives. Perhaps even with beef stew, pasta Bolognese or pan-seared pork belly.Aromas of black cherry, blackberry jam and cedar are followed by flavors of strawberry, boysenberry and sassafras. The 2019 vintage presents balanced acidity and plush tannins.

22 Intoxicating Holiday Gifts for Wine LoversFrom high-profile Pierre Seillan, who makes wine on Bordeaux’s Right Bank as well as in Sonoma (Vérité), comes a Tuscan project showcasing his favorite variety: Cabernet Franc (representing 73 percent of this wine). High-toned aromas of violets and red berries belie the power and density of the palate that follows, and yet there’s great balance and finesse here, with juicy acidity and rounded tannins.