Blissfully ripe bramble fruit with milk chocolate, a touch of bacon and burnt meat. Svelte texture, balanced acidity, but perhaps slightly shorter than expected. Strange – the first act is all excitement, and the second act is rather pedestrian by comparison

Suitably pale ruby colour. Spice and liquorice on the nose. High, finely sanded tannins on the palate. Hot finish with full but fairly light fruit. Not nearly as bumptious as I expected. Seems to be suppressed, perhaps premature, yet without all the fruit power needed for long life.

Medium ruby in colour, there’s deep cherry, red licorice and plum aromas that come with subtle pepper and earth notes. It’s dry and medium bodied, with ripe cherry, raspberry and plum flavours bordering on confected but saved by light tannins and acidity, while a hint of spice comes with some heat from the oak aging and 13.5 per cent alcohol. A decent example of Pinot Noir for those who like things more concentrated and extracted.

For those who prefer white wines, this bright and crisp Chardonnay is ideal for white meat turkey and lighter garnishes. It also combines perfectly with desserts. A glass of this wine could stand alone as a dessert, with its aromas of baked apple, graham cracker and Meyer lemon , Asian pear and mineral notes.

This Pinot Noir will complement any item on the menu. It is a wine with aromas of blackberry, cherry, leather and tobacco, and flavors of red cherry, raspberry and blackberry. Subtle hints of espresso and cocoa beans underpin notes of exotic spices and toast, making it the ideal accompaniment to any of the traditional Thanksgiving dishes.

Obtained from the grapes of the Valadorna and Capraia vineyards, Tenuta di Arceno's Valadorna is mainly a Merlot (with small additions of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon), aged for 12 months in barriques, mostly new. Its aromatic baggage is wide and varied which refers to black fruits, cedar, aromatic herbs, tobacco and spices. In the mouth, the sip is juicy and well profiled, with a resolved and basically fine tannic texture, solid and enveloping development and a deep, persistent and balsamic finish. Near Castelnuovo Berardenga, the "capital" of the southernmost sub-area of ​​the Chianti Classico appellation, is the Arceno Estate (92 hectares of vineyards for a total of 250,000 bottles), owned by America (Kendall-Jackson Group, who acquired it in 1994 among the first realities outside California) and with Bordeaux technical guidance with some Californian nuances in the hands of Pierre Seillan - creator of Verité Winery in Sonoma and first active in Saint-Emilion - and of the Italian-American Lawrence Cronin. From here come well-centered labels of impeccable workmanship: from the Chianti Sangiovese declined with a soberly modern style and with the centered objective of not distorting their personality and character, to the Bordeaux-style blends and purities, made with equal restraint and refinement, as well demonstrate our taste.

Christmas Cheer in a Bottle
From an estate newly promoted to Saint-Emilion Grand Cru Classé status, an elegant wine worthy of any festive board.

The 20 Best Red Wines for Christmas
We’re really into the higher price points now where any wines have to really prove their worth, and this wonder certainly does because it’s one of the best we’ve had the joy of experiencing. The ultimate dreamy date-night Tuscan red, it’s an Italian French love affair with rich tannins and magically intense dark fruits. These seductively tangle with indulgent dark chocolate, ripe cherries, raspberries rolled in black pepper and dark, juicy plums. So much has been experienced before the embracing finish of cherry compote and warming cedar spice that echoes and echoes in the mouth. Pure romance, pure excellence. Save this special wine for an equally special night and you won’t be disappointed!

About $35, distributed in Illinois by Romano Brothers Beverage. Learn to love merlot again! Once America's top-selling red, the grape was pillaged by overplanting and an unfortunate rant in "Sideways," "I will not drink *#@* merlot!" This Merlot, along with the classic Bordeaux blend including cabernet sauvignon, was long-ripened to modify the grape's vegetal bitterness into pleasing mint, green tobacco and forest floor accents, enveloped by black cherry and plummy fruit. The soft entry extends on the palate to a pleasingly firm finish. The label represents the Roman Faunus (the Greek Pan), half man/ half goat, god of forests and fields, bringer of merriment and mischief. It also represents the duality of Tuscany's tradition paired with a modern "micro-cru" concept, i.e., pairing each grape with specific vineyards, which are vinified separately to express the unique expression of the land.

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.

This Merlot is crafted in a big, broad-shouldered style, with intense dark fruit, cherry, plum, herb, vanilla, chocolate and spicy oak. An impressive wine that will be equally at home at a casual barbecue with ribs, sausages or burgers or a formal roast beef dinner.

Wanting to recreate the late days of summer and the shift into fall? You may find a good fit with this rich zippy pinot, which opens with autumnal notes of cranberry and persimmon. Pack an Oregonian picnic of spicy chicken wings, salad and marionberry pie and pair it with luscious notes of boysenberry, black cherry, and baking spices.

Nothing says summer like a bottle of pink bubbles. Bring back that carefree feeling with aromas of strawberry shortcake and toasted brioche mingled with hints of nectarine, watermelon and kumquat. Balanced acidity and a clean finish make it a great aperitif or perfect pair to cream puffs.

Deep garnet-purple in colour, the Chateau Lassegue, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015 initially shows expressive black forest cake, preserved plums and blackberry pie notes, but then an undercurrent of mocha, grilled meats, sandalwood and cigar box plus a waft of lavender reveals itself. The wine has medium to full body, is rich and densely packed with opulent layers of spiced black fruit preserves and chocolate box notions. The tannins are wonderfully plush yet firm complemented with lovely fresh acidity. The finish is long and fragrant.

Finding the right wine gift takes some time and thought
THE BOSS
Never an easy pick, it should look spendy — hint: excellent packaging — but be reasonable in price. We have two choices, one red and one white from the same producer and both from Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia. The Giant Steps 2020 Chardonnay, is rich in a Burgundian Grand Cru way but not overpowering. The Giant Steps 2020 Pinot Noir, is a wow wine that is simply delicious. You could pair them up if you really need a promotion.

Finding the right wine gift takes some time and thought
THE BOSS
Never an easy pick, it should look spendy — hint: excellent packaging — but be reasonable in price. We have two choices, one red and one white from the same producer and both from Yarra Valley, Victoria, Australia. The Giant Steps 2020 Chardonnay, is rich in a Burgundian Grand Cru way but not overpowering. The Giant Steps 2020 Pinot Noir, is a wow wine that is simply delicious. You could pair them up if you really need a promotion.

For the Wine Enthusiast
Incredibly focused and defined, the 100% Cabernet Franc showcases aromas of mulberry, Asian spice, black tea, and graphite. Loaded with dense fruit and spice on the palate, the full-bodied wine has beautifully balanced acidity and ripe, uber-fine tannins. Stunning out of the gate, this wine should provide cellaring rewards for years to come.

The colour of the Chateau Lassegue, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015, is deep garnet-purple. Initially, it reveals expressive black forest cake, preserved plums and blackberry pie notes, joined by an undercurrent of mocha, grilled meats, sandalwood and cigar box, plus a waft of lavender.
The wine has a medium to full body and is rich and densely packed with opulent layers of spiced black fruit preserves and chocolate box notions. The tannins are wonderfully plush yet firm, complented by a lovely fresh acidity, and it has a long and fragrant finish.

Christmas Gift Guide 2022
All that glitters may not be gold, but that doesn’t mean we don’t still want it on our Santa list. Here are top luxury Christmas ideas for you and yours…
Château Lassègue Saint-Emilion Grand Cru 2015
For the main event, you’ll want a consummate all-rounder: a wine with enough structure and richness to match the smorgasbord of flavours on your Christmas dinner table without being so full bodied it takes over.
Welcome to Château Lassègue – an expressive Saint-Emilion Grand Cru that seems custom made for the festive period. You’ll find opulent layers of spiced black fruit preserves and chocolate-box bites. There’s plenty of plush tannins, but they’re balanced with fragrant acidity. It’s everything a claret should be.
Such quality is hardly a surprise as it’s made by celebrated Bordeaux blend master Pierre Seillan – who’s been at the top of his game for five decades.

Winemaker Chris Carpenter turns out one hit after the other for this property, which is celebrating its 125th anniversary. Not many winemakers can produce a cabernet franc that can stand on its own without massive assistance from other grape varieties. But from the grape grown in mountain vineyards, he gets concentration, complexity and depth. Violet and dried herbal aromas give way to blackberry and black cherry flavors with a touch of kirsch.

The 2020 Yarra Valley chardonnay, a blend of grapes from three of Giant Steps’ single vineyards, is a vibrant wine with persistent lime, green apple and pear flavours, with a touch of vanilla. A very fresh style.