Pinot Noir is arguably the red grape to go with Christmas lunch as it's not heavy enough to send you to sleep, but it is flavoursome enough to stand up to turkey with all the trimmings. Russian River in California has quickly cemented its reputation for top quality Pinot Noir in recent years thanks to its ideal combination of weather and soils. The Hartford Court is silky smooth and intensely perfumed with notes of spiced, dark cherry compote, marzipan and earth. Stunning.

The 2019 Kendall-Jackson Vintner’s Reserve Chardonnay is a rich 100% barrel-fermented chardonnay full of sunny, fresh fruit flavours. Aromas of vanilla and honey create balance along with hints of toasted oak and butter. As the brand’s most popular release, it is the perfect selection to impress at any occasion this holiday season as it is approachable and exceptionally food-friendly. Super versatile, enjoy with Roasted Chicken, Roasted Turkey, Pork or Veal in Cream Sauce with Mushrooms, Mild Soft Cheeses, Lobster with Drawn Butter, Crab with Drawn Butter, Mushroom Risotto, and Poached Salmon, to name a few wonderful pairings!
Kendall-Jackson’s Vintner’s Reserve is a perfect “go-to” white wine to have on-hand and one that is sure to please your in-laws too.

Wine of the Day: La Crema Brut Rose Sparkling Wine
The countdown is on, and bubbles will be popping! Christmas is almost here, along with a fabulous new year, and one item is required for both, bubbles. From Russian River Valley La Crema crafts a luscious, lively, traditional method Brut Rose. The sparkling wine blends 73% Pinot Noir with 27% Chardonnay, both of which are whole-cluster pressed ensuring freshness is maintained throughout the vibrant wine. Aged for 2 years en triage (on the lees/yeasts) giving a light biscuit and blanched almond note to the aromatic sparkler. The bubble opens with aromas of fresh wildflowers and apple blossom, followed by layers of lemon curd, creamy toasted meringue, red berries, and baked apple. Balanced and bright, there is a focused mineral note that is carried throughout, melding harmoniously with the fruity, creamy layers. A perfect way to toast the holiday. #Cheers

Wines worth splurging on, holiday gift ideas
Oregon has been on a roll the past few years, consistently producing outstanding Pinot Noirs, one year after another since 2014. This voluptuous 2018 Pinot Noir from Penner-Ash Wine Cellars is another stunning wine from another great vintage. Made with grapes from the Yamhill-Carlton subregion in the widely-respected Willamette Valley famous for its complex Pinot Noirs, this wine hits all the right notes – bright yet subtle fresh berry flavors, a hint of toasted almond, vanilla and fresh herbs mixed with a dash of roasted figs. An outstanding wine that will drink well for at least the next 10 years.

Wines worth splurging on, holiday gift ideas
Fans of austere, red wines will love this understated yet intense red wine from France’s Saint Emilion subregion in Bordeaux. Made with a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from 40 to 50-year-old vines in limestone-rich soil, then aged for in French Oak for 12 months, this wine has a flinty yet earthy finish, with notes of dried blackberries and roasted almonds as well as a slightly smoky finish and a dash of sea salt. The only problem you’ll probably have with this wine is you might be tempted to age it for another 5 to 10 years. But good luck resisting the urge to open this wine right away.

Elegant and plush, this Bordeaux-style varietal is complex and alluring. Expect notes of tobacco leaf and black currants first, followed by this really unique sweet new oak — likely from the barrel — and, finally, a bold mix of spices.

Rose tinted straw color. Showing a bright, fragrant nose and lively mouth feel, the Brut Rosé is a fruit driven sparkler with notes of creamy strawberry and hints of stone fruit and toast. Finishes with a hint of sweetness.

Experience California's exquisite Sonoma Coast, in a bottle. Their original name, La Crema Vinera, means "best of the vine," setting the standard for all they have done for over four decades since 1979. This family-owned and operated winery focuses exclusively on cool-climate appellations. They are continually exploring these very special regions in The Golden State, passionate in the belief that they make uniquely expressive and elegant wines. With its unique geography and climate, the Sonoma Coast has proven itself to be one of the world's premier Pinot Noir producing regions. Enjoy this smooth Pinot Noir with your holiday charcuterie platter.

Thanksgiving Wines Under $50 - recommended

Wine of the Day: Willakenzie Tourdion Cuvee Blanc
Though there are likely not many wineries that blend Pinot Noir with Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc, but they should, as Willamette Valley’s Willakenzie Estate reveals with their luscious, lively Willakenzie Tourdion Cuvee Blanc. Inspired by the wines of France’s Alsace region, known for crafting stellar Grand Cru wines from the varieties, although usually as single varietal wines, Tourdion gracefully marries 45% Pinot Noir (pressed shortly after harvest to ensure the skins do not impart too much of their color into the delicate juice), 33% Pinot Blanc, and 22% Pinot Gris, from fruit grown throughout Willkenzie’s expansive estate filled with varying elevations, soil types, sun exposures, and microclimates. Each variety is harvested separately, whole-cluster pressed to maintain vibrant freshness, fermented and aged on the lees in neutral oak, giving a hint of creaminess and texture to the layered wine. The resulting wine is aromatic and inviting, opening with layers of orange blossom and lemon blossom, with subtle herbal notes, and spice, followed by notes of creamy lemon box pie, mandarin, melon, and a smokey mineral note of crushed stone. #Cheers

10 Local Wines Worth a Holiday Pour
This expressive wine is a blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. With a strong citrus character, Tourdion is full-bodied, energetic and exceptionally food-friendly. It makes for a great party starter, and pairs amazingly with light bites and appetizers — smoked salmon blinis, bruschetta, goat cheese tarts, oysters, you name it!

The 2018 Les Voisins is equally notable. It has more opulent pear and apple notes.

This well-respected winery draws grapes from Anderson Valley to make two distinct chardonnays – Les Voisins and this DuPratt. We liked this one in particular because of its special qualities that come from grapes grown on a small vineyard atop a ridge at 1,550 feet. It bares good acidity and austere character that make it a good match with food.

Lassegue 2017 contains the least merlot I have seen in the wine — 50 percent, with 45 percent cabernet franc and 5 percent cabernet sauvignon. Again, the aging process involves 70 percent new oak for one year. The dark ruby-magenta hue here is enhanced by a touch of mulberry and garnet at the rim; the first impression is of slightly exotic notes of espresso and mocha, opening to hints of pencil dust, walnut shell and forest floor; give this wine some swirling and aerating to bring out the essence of black currants and raspberries, with hints of raspberry leaf, loam and sandalwood; still quite young at four years, Lassegue ’17 coats the palate with stalwart tannins and bastions of burnished, ecclesiastical oak; patience is required to elicit ephemeral qualities of bittersweet chocolate, lavender and violets, with wild tones of blueberry and pomander, all elements subsumed in a grave finish of graphite and granitic minerality. 14 percent alcohol. Try from 2024 or ’25 through 2032 to ’35. Excellent.

Lassegue 2018 is a blend of 62 percent merlot, 35 percent cabernet franc and 3 percent cabernet sauvignon, aged one year in French oak, 70 percent new barrels, the standard regimen for the estate. The color is very dark ruby-magenta, shading to a transparent rim; at first, this seems all an expression of structural elements — foresty briers and brambles, graphite, wheatmeal and walnut shell; notes of black currants and cherries are intense and concentrated, though a few moments in the glass unfurl hints of cedar, tobacco and dried rosemary, with touches of fig paste and black olive; all of these qualities are revealed with balance and nuance; on the palate — yes, not surprising, the wine is dense, warm and enveloping, solid with dusty tannins enlivened by a refreshing spate of bright acidity; the finish is just as firm, as granitic and as spice-laden as you would expect. 14.5 percent alcohol. Try from 2023 or ’24 through 2030 to ’34. Excellent.

Red, White and Brew: Cold weather selections
il fauno di Arcanum is a Bordeaux-style blend, inspired by their right-bank wines. Merlot and Cabernet Franc – driven, this wine is voluptuous and lush. The 2018 vintage saw almost ideal growing season, with no extreme heat or untimely rains. This resulted in an elegant wine with a strong backbone. Some earthy aromas on the nose are followed by dark fruits and luscious tannins on the palate. It culminates with a long and spicy finish. Not your typical Italian wine from the Toscana region. Highly acclaimed every year, this vintage was rated 94 points. Very food friendly, especially with meat dishes.

Another delight for any wine collector is the 2018 Le Désir. Also from the North coast of California – Sonoma County, Le Désir is dark and moody in appearance with a hint of violet, this Cabernet-Franc based blend is a complex signature made up of more than 50 micro-crus with deep red fruits, sage, mint and cinnamon bark on the nose, followed by sweet spice, a hint of blackberry and vanilla and a lingering finish. Bold, oaky and acidic, it’s a keeper which will age well.

La Muse uses a variety of more than 50 micro-crus to produce its complex signature in the Sonoma County of California. 90% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc and 4% Malbec, this incredible blend has been able for 16 months in French oak (95% new). A mild spring in 2018 followed by a cool growing season and slow, even ripening has produced a beautiful balance with matured tannins and a gorgeous ruby-violet colour. With ripe red and black plum, spices and hints of toast and roasted nut, there are rich red fruits on the nose and notes of chocolate and tobacco giving way to a long finish.

The Hickinbotham Clarendon Vineyard site is ‘ancient’ by Australian standards, originally planted in 1858. The Brooks Vineyard Shiraz showcases the pedigree of this historically important vineyard. With an elegant nose and flavours of crunchy blackcurrant and blackberry, accented by black and white pepper and cedarwood, the palate shows excellent concentration, brisk acidity and silky tannins with weight, layers and depth. It has a lingering, savoury finish.

The brilliant biodynamic McLaren Vale producer that is Yangarra Estate was the source of a Master-winning Syrah this year. Using very old vines and sensitive cellar techniques, the style of wine is ripe, but not heavy, with a smoothness and brightness one might not normally associate with this hot part of Australia. Texture aside, this is a delicious Syrah, with flavours of dark cherry, pepper and plums, vanilla and cedar, even a touch of dried mint and cranberry.

Baroness Recommends: 20 Holiday Gift Wines
On the Right Bank of Bordeaux on the southern hills of the Côte de Saint-Émilion, Château Lassègue farms sustainably with a father and son winemaking team–Pierre and Nicolas Seillan–and California’s Jackson Family Wines as a partner for the last 20 years. Ornate sundials adorn the façade of the estate’s 18th century château and are symbolic of the biodynamic practices. Made from 50% old vine Merlot, 45% Cabernet Franc, and 5% Cabernet Sauvignon grown in clay and limestone soils, the flagship “Lassègue” is perfumed with violet, cassis and blackberry and has layers of minerality, leather and mushroom.

The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide: Gifts for Everyone on Your List
For Wine Lovers:
Located on the Côte de Saint Émilion, the seventh-generation run 18th-century chateau founded in 1738 is especially proud of the 2018 special vintage, made up of 62% merlot, 35% Cabernet Franc and 3% Cabernet Sauvignon. With a deep and intense color, the nose gives way to hints of violet and cassis. On the palate, lovely tones of red and black fruit with perfect roundness.

The kings of Cabernet: An impressive list
Rich textured with blackcurrants, blackberry and raspberry flavors that coat the palate. Full bodied with smooth tannin and a silky, smooth finish that will have you yearning for more.
This is a memorable wine indeed.

The kings of Cabernet: An impressive list
Wow, this over-the-top wine offers notes of dark chocolate that are balanced by dark fruit flavors and hints of spice and licorice. Time in the cellar will reward one's patience.

Perfect pairings: Selecting wines for this year's holidays Did someone say butter? This flavorful juicy chardonnay is ready to roll alongside lobster, scallops, and any number of cheeses, whether they’re oozing over a flatbread or plated on a cheese board.