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.

Easy to Find Thanksgiving Wine Recommendations - 2018 Penner Ash Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

A Wine from a Producer That Exemplifies Sustainability:
2020 Yangarra Estate Vineyard Ovitelli Grenache (Australia, South Australia, McLaren Vale)
I am so glad that this producer satisfies two things I wanted to talk about here today: McLaren Vale Grenache and a leader in sustainability in the vineyards. The McLaren Vale Grenache story is a very important one to the global world of Grenache. Grenache, the grape that loves sun, thrives on a bit of water and throws a huge crop that is susceptible to high alcohol and robust tannins. Grenache, that in McLaren Vale has the propensity to express in a balanced, ripe, low-pH frame, littered with blood, ferrous, red fruits and a plume of tannin through the fruit that feels both firm and finely milled at once. These wines are growing up to be the pride of Australia in this space, and this Ovitelli Grenache has been matured entirely in concrete egg. The tannins derived solely from the grape. A marvel, and one that warms not just the belly but the soul too, knowing that only good things go into the biodynamic/organic vineyard, and only good things come out. A singular wine style.

How to pair red wines with the Thanksgiving feast
Our first wine is a 2018 La Crema Pinot Noir Fog Veil Russian River Valley – Sonoma County. The grapes for this wine come from neighboring vineyards to their Saralee’s Estate. The primary clones are Pommard and Flowers, first planted in 1996, and the wine is aged for 14 months in 100 percent French oak. The color is a ruby red. To the nose there are notes of black cherry, raspberry and baking spices. To the tongue, there is black plum and pomegranate, balanced by fine tannins, with very slight acidity. As the name implies, a late afternoon fog visits the valley daily, ensuring slow and steady ripening, leading to the grape’s slight acidity. Historically Russian River Valley pinot noirs had bright red fruit and delicate earthy, mineral notes. But changes in viticultural and winemaking practices have led to riper fruit and bolder wines, exhibiting black cherry and blackberry notes over the more traditional pinot noir notes of strawberry, raspberry and sour cherry. This is a bolder pinot noir worth trying and comparing to an Oregon or Burgundian-sourced pinot noir.

An inviting, fruit-driven style, with a gorgeous display ofplum puree and blackberry confiture pumping along,flanked with licorice and apple wood and kept honestwith a loamy accent through the finish. Polished in feeloverall, but that belies the serious grip. Drink nowthrough 2036.

As winemaker for Jackson Family’s high-end Napa Valley brands – Cardinale, Lokoya and Mt. Brave – Chris Carpenter has a sure hand with Cabernet Sauvignon, whether the fruit comes for the Howell Mountain, Mount Veeder, the benches along the valley floor or somewhere else from Jackson’s holdings. Although the vintage and the terroir certainly have an influence, Carpenter’s Cabs seem to always be assertive while maintaining a core of seductive fruit down the middle of the taste – and Carpenter is as intelligent and interesting a winemaker as you will come across – an added plus for visitors to the estate. The Mt. Brave fruit comes from the same Mt. Veeder vineyard that Chateau Potelle owned for several years, The 2018 vintage has lovely aromas – not always a feature of Cabernets – that is reflected in the rich fruitiness on the palate with lots of fresh vanilla and old oak notes that come across soon after opening as almost like a vinous cheesecake. With airing, the lusciousness is somewhat lessened, and the wine lengthens out to show savory notes and good finishing acidity. In sum, it is one of those fascinating wines that should evolve significantly in the bottle.

A compelling wine, broad-shouldered yet detailed, offering expressive blueberry and guava flavors, which take on bitter chocolate and forest floor accents as this builds toward medium-grained tannins. Drink now through 2030.

Vivid, with açaí, boysenberry and blackberry puree steaming through, buttressed by a prominent cast iron note that lends a racy, driven feel from start to finish. A wine of fresh power. Best from 2023 through 2036.

Like a brooding teenager, this Pinot has a lot going for it but patience is required. Offers notes of blueberry, stony minerality and forest floor framed by a tannic bite on the finish. Best from 2023 through 2030.

Pulsating with tension and balancing snappy acidity with simmering tannins, this offers lively cherry and strawberry flavors flanked by savory herbs, bittersweet chocolate and spice. Still coming together, but will bloom in time. Best from 2023 through 2030.

Ripe, but compact and restrained in feel, with a core of raspberry, blackberry and mulberry fruit keeping energy in reserve, while light sassafras, licorice and apple wood notes add range through the finish. Drink now through 2032.

Garnet to dark garnet color in the glass, clear looking throughout. Nose of cranberries, raspberries and cherries. Flavors of cranberries, strawberries and raspberries. Medium to tart acidity, medium to firm tannin, full bodied. Drink over the short term.

This is reserved in style but has a nice well of loganberry and mulberry fruit, with subtle apple wood, loam and licorice root notes. A flash of sweet bay leaf flickers in the background, too. Polished feel overall. Drink now through 2032.

Ripe and expressive in feel, with a polished core featuring a tasty set of sweet bay leaf, licorice and cassis flavors that glide through. Ends with a lightly toasted, savory finish. Drink now through 2032.

Generous and plump with fruit, offering rich tropical fruit and apricot flavors that sail on a long, supple finish. Drink now.

Pretty, with a high-pitched cherry and damson plum fruit profile laced with sanguine and red tea notes, which linger on the understated finish. Drink now through 2027.

A fresh and racy-styled Pinot, with a savory spine amid raspberry and red currant coulis flavors. Presents pretty red tea and floral accents on the finish. Drink now through 2026.

A rich, forward style, offering a velvety wave of crushed plum and boysenberry preserves, with melted licorice and sweet toast gilding the finish. Shows more weight than purity but will have fans. Drink now through 2026.

Offers a core of violet, cassis and cherry pie, with a frankly toasted finish and a flicker of herbs at the very end. Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Petit Verdot. Drink now through 2025.

This offers flavors of strawberry, raspberry and blood orange on a taut frame, with fresh herb notes of sage and tarragon. There's a firm, earthy backbone, along with touches of matcha green tea. Drink now.

Gran Moraine Brut Rose Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley, 92 McD, shows spring florals, hawthorn and green apple nose. Orange citrus and slaty minerality without the petrol hints one would find in German Riesling complete the package.

Yangarra Old Vine Grenache 2020 is complex and rich, with a nose that is fruit-driven and features dark cherries and raspberries, as well as hints of cloves and lavender. The leathery earthiness of this wine develops in the decanter, to give way to a remarkably complex and intriguing Grenache of great substance and prowess.
We recommend pairing it with roast beef and all the trimmings on a festive Sunday evening with family or friends.

7 sparkling wines perfect for spreading holiday cheers (without breaking the bank)
If you prefer rosé Champagnes, Gran Moraine’s brut rosé is a graceful balance between pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier grapes from the winery’s Yamhill-Carlton estate vineyards in Oregon. Multiple vintages are blended together for a house style that flirts with flavors of strawberry shortcake, juicy nectarine and watermelon rind. The dosage — a small amount of sugar plus wine added after the bottle is disgorged — is very low, allowing the quality of the wine to shine.

A dull ruby red with a thin watery rim. Medium bodied on the palate with some bracing acidity and very little tannins.
Leads with fresh strawberry compote and mulling spices—clove and cinnamon in particular—followed on by vanilla, some funky herbaceous/mossy notes, and a vibrant citrus quality on the finish. Youthful, to be sure, but already drinking beautifully and likely will for several more years. This is a delicious Yarra Valley Pinot coming in at a perfectly decent price.

Siduri Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2020 is solid, lively, smooth from a master of pinot noir. Rich, ripe fruit dominates and enchants. It is both demure and enchanting while commanding your attention. Velvety in the mouth. Easy drinker that can pleasure a host of palates. Pair with salmon and other rich fish; turkey; roast pheasant; duck confit; venison; lighter beef dishes. Cheese—goat cheeses, brie; humbolt fog, gruyère, comté, emmenthal, gouda.