15 Best Thanksgiving Wines to Enjoy During Your FeastPinot Noir, like this Hartford Court Russian River Pinot Noir, is a classic pairing for Thanksgiving, Tesconi says. Its delicate red fruit flavors make it a nice compliment to turkey, and it’s great with a sausage stuffing or bacon Brussels sprouts.

Laura Díaz Muñoz was winemaker for the splendid Galerie pleinair Cabernet Sauvignon 2016, Napa Valley. She moved on to Ehlers Estate in July 2018; her replacement at Galerie is Gianna Kelly. Deriving from six vineyards that encompass a variety of Napa Valley soils and microclimates, the wine is 100 percent varietal and aged 19 months in French oak, 72 percent new barrels. The abyss of color is opaque black-ruby with a vivid mulberry-hued rim; penetrating aromas of graphite, loam, dust, smoke and charcoal presage a cabernet of immense mineral intensity; a few minutes in the glass unfurl notes of black currants and blueberries, iodine and mint, lavender and licorice; on the palate, this cabernet somehow feels ripe and vibrant, lyrical and balletic while simultaneously evincing a kind of chiseled concentration of vanilla-tinged oak and granitic minerality; acid is bright and incisive though the finish is dense and brooding. 14.5 percent alcohol. Try from 2021 or ’22 through 2029 to ’32. Profoundly impressive.

La Crema Pinot Noir Rosé Monterey 2019 is vibrant, versatile tasty. Strawberry, watermelon, Mandarin orange and other goodies on the palate make for a light, tasty treat. On one level, this is backyard party wine; enjoy on patio, poolside, dock, backyard, picnic. I am reviewing this in October, so for many those lazy days of summer are past. This still has a place. Rosé is a versatile wine. You easily can enjoy this as an aperitif or just fun wine in front of a blazing fireplace. Pairs with fruit trays; lighter fish, but would work with salmon; pork; Cobb salad; feta, spinach, mint and quinoa tartelettes; charcuterie; garden salads with grapefruit wedges; soft cheese.

Wines for ThanksgivingThis wine from Willamette Valley in Oregon shows a jammy bouquet and fresh taste of blackberries and cranberries with hints of chocolate, bolder than many Oregon Pinots but more typical for one from California. But with its light body and soft, dry finish it drinks more like a French Burgundy than anything from California and mates particularly well with starchy fare like sweet potatoes and mushroom laced stuffing, bringing out their earthy nuances.

The best bottles for wine lovers this yearLa Crema: A representation of La Crema’s four decades along the Pacific coast in Northern California’s Sonoma County, the special edition 2018 40th Anniversary Pinot Noir was made as a tribute to both Burgundian winemaking practices and cool climate appellations. Aged in French oak barrels for 10 months, this 100% Pinot Noir wine offers aromas of rose, cedar, and raspberry with flavors of plum, black cherry, and cocoa.

5 Grappoli

Distinctive, rather meaty nose. A wine with ambition and intention. It is certainly built with structure for the long term. The acidity is quite prominent. And there's an attractive salinity. Very pure fruit flavours. A hint of rose petals. And very long. I read that JFW have reduced the weight of their bottles but this one still seems pretty heavy to me. Though screwcap is presumably pretty brave for an American-owned brand.

The Best Red Wine Under $50This Tuscan blend from Tenuta di Arceno is comprised of merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, and petit verdot from different blocks on the estate. Bold cherry and vanilla on the nose begin your tasting journey, followed by wild berries, white pepper, and even a bit of cotton candy on the palate.

The Best Red Wine Under $50Château Lassègue is an estate that dates back to the 18th century in the Saint-Émilion AOC of Bordeaux. Les Cadrans de Lassègue is predominantly comprised of merlot with a small percentage of cabernet franc. The flavor develops as you drink with notes of flowers, ripe cherry, dark berries, and a bit of tannin and oak.

K-J is so much more than its huge-production wines. Here’s an example: an exceptional, mountain-grown Cabernet Sauvignon (900 – 2,400 feet elevation) that is a bit more accessible to drink now than the Monte Rosso, yet has plenty of structure for a decade-plus in the cellar. Or drink it now for a full-bodied boldness, vibrant blackberry and boysenberry fruit, and subtle shadings of cedar and oak spice.

Here’s another “big” Pinot Noir, with mouth-filling, ripe dark berry, and cherry aromas and flavors. Hints of truffle, oak spice, and black tea add to the complexity of this wine, which is slightly softer and rounder than the Merry Edwards, yet still packs a muscular punch. It will shine brightest at the holiday table – yours or someone else’s.

A near-perfect Russian River Pinot, it delivers crowd-pleasing, vibrant black cherry, blueberry and boysenberry fruit. It’s hugely aromatic – violet and rose petal – supple and succulent with a generous, brisk finish.

The Petaluma Gap’s cool temperatures and wind help produce fruit with crunchy natural acidity. That comes into play with this vibrant and polished wine, where the acidity plumps up the blackberry and blueberry fruit character. Asian spice, sarsaparilla, and a hint of dark chocolate are also present, upping the complexity level.

The wine smells like a field of wild strawberries, with Queen Anne cherry and pink grapefruit joining the palate mix. It has a lovely balance of richness and freshness, and despite its light body, floods the mouth with flavor.

This wine is easy to find, easy to drink, and easy on the pocketbook, as it’s typically sold at discounted prices. It offers a little bit of everything: sweet, ripe pineapple, white peach, apple and Meyer lemon fruit, caramel spice, and a clean, mouthwatering finish. Value.

Winemaker Jeff Stewart makes several Chardonnays, but this one is outstanding: A blend of freshness, mouthwatering acidity, gentle oak spice, unripe pair, and tangy citrus. It smells of peach blossoms, and lemongrass with a core of spiced apples, and poached pears. The palate delivers layer upon layer of savory, citrus, and stone fruit flavors, long and spicy.

Nearly 1,800 up Mt. Veeder, the Mt. Brave winery draws from a great source of grapes for this serious and complex merlot with plum and dark red cherry fruit and hints of vanilla and spice. Firm tannins make it a keeper too.

You don’t think of Australia for its merlots, but this dynamite version from Hickinbotham scores points with its generous plum and strawberry flavors and balanced acidity. There’s a nice mineral and earthy character to it.

Drawing grapes from two vineyards on Howell Mountain, this showy merlot is a good example of a winemaker’s deft hands. Dense and rich black cherry notes, floral nose, and hints of dried herbs, coffee and mineral. Long finish.

Cooler weathers brings a hankering for red wine2017 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir from California...

The 2016 Prequel, which focuses on Sonoma County (85 percent syrah/15 percent petite sirah), is concentrated with luscious mixed berries, complemented with woodsy and oaky notes.

The 2016 Red Blend, which emphasizes Napa Valley sources, adds merlot and deftly balances structure and finesse, with bright red fruit, oaky and earthy notes.

Drink These Italian Wines 20 Years In The MakingThis wine will age beautifully, it drinks like a top Pomerol with rich fruit, coiled with energy and mature tannins that roll across the palate, not at all dry, but silky.

Drink These Italian Wines 20 Years In The MakingA consistently high-scoring Bordeaux blend dominated by Merlot. Seillan describes this elegant, silky wine as “a great value; it is high quality for a great price.” Indeed, age it 10 -15 years or open now, exceptional quality.

Drink These Italian Wines 20 Years In The MakingEarthy, depth with black cherry, Seillan suggests decanting it the day before you drink it to maximize the aromas and flavors.