Reliable
Wines for the Holiday Times - Part 3
By FBWorld Team
With
all the running around shopping and social occasions
during the Holiday Season, the last thing anyone wants to worry
about is what wine to serve guests. So, we continue our series
(check out part
1 & part
2 also) featuring some brands & bottles that
aren't too expensive, are rather easy to find, and are consistently
pleasing. Hope you enjoy!
Click
on labels to enlarge |
Nadia
2012 Sauvignon Blanc
Winery:
Nadia
Grape(s): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Santa Barbara County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 15-20
Review:
A bouquet of lime, lemon, and white peach greets the senses.
The palate delivers flavors of citrus fruit and nectarine
along with hints of grass, minerals, and honey. A crisp,
refreshing white that still has a slight creaminess, it
will work nicely with any white-fish or citrusy chicken.
1,500 cases produced.
Rating: 88 |
|
Laetitia
Brut Cuvée
Winery:
Laetitia
Grape(s): Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and
Pinot Blanc
Region: Arroyo Grande Valley
Year:
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 20-25
Review:
Notes of cherry blossoms, peach, and apricot rise up from
a glass. With a sip, flavors of dried apricot and bing
cherries come forth along with hints if fresh baked bread.
It's an approachable sparkling wine that's easy to enjoy
with brunch, before dinner, or for a holiday toast. 3,600
cases made.
Rating: 89 |
|
Laetitia
2012 Chardonnay
Winery:
Laetitia
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Arroyo Grande Valley
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 15-20
Review:
Aromas of lemon, apple, and Asian pear meld with suggestions
of almonds, vanilla, and licorice on the nose. A sip reveals
flavors of green apple and sweet lemon accented by notes
of toasted almonds, fennel, and wet stone. A Chardonnay
that's not your run of the mill white, give it a try if
you're looking for something that's a bit out-of-the-ordinary.
15,000 cases were made.
Rating: 87 |
|
Laetitia
2012 Pinot Noir
Winery:
Laetitia
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Region: Arroyo Grande Valley
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromatics of cherries and boysenberries mingle with minerals
and orange spice on the nose. Flavors of cherry, boysenberry,
and plum come together with suggestions of earth, spice,
and cocoa on the palate. A Pinot with a nice acidity and
bright flavors, it will pair well with pork chops or a
chèvre before dinner.
Rating: 88 |
|
J.
Lohr 2012 "Riverstone" Chadonnay
Winery:
J. Lohr
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Monetrey County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 10-15
Review:
A bouquet of pear, apple, and vanilla greets the senses.
A sip unfurls flavors of golden apple, pear, and pineapple
accented by suggestions of vanilla and buttery oak. A
smooth, rich Chardonnay with a friendly acidity, you can
pour it with confidence at any holiday gathering.
Rating: 89 |
|
J.
Lohr 2012 "Arroyo Vista" Chadonnay
Winery:
J. Lohr
Grape(s): 100% Chardonnay
Region: Monetrey County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 20-25
Review:
Aromatics of golden apple and pear meld with suggestions
of honey and almonds on the nose. The palate delivers
flavors of apples and pears accented by notes of lemon
custard, butterscotch, and toasted almonds. A rich, mouth-filling
Chardonnay with a nice depth of flavor, you can feel confident
serving it for a special occasion.
Rating: 90 |
|
J.
Lohr 2012 "Falcon's Perch" Pinot Noir
Winery:
J. Lohr
Grape(s): 76% Pinot Noir & 24% Valdigue
Region: Monetrey County
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 10-15
Review:
Aromas of cherries, plums, and boysenberries mingle with
hints of clove and earth on the nose. Flavors of black
cherries and plums unfold into suggestions of sweet spice,
minerals, and rose petals on the palate. An easy-going
Pinot, with a balanced acidity, it could be enjoyed as
an aperitif or with holiday party goat cheese Hors d'oeuvre.
Rating: 89 |
|
J.
Lohr 2011 "Los Osos" Merlot
Winery:
J. Lohr
Grape(s): 84% Merlot, 11% Malbec, 5%
Petit Verdot
Region: Paso Robles
Year: 2011
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 10-15
Review:
Notes of black cherries, plums, and raspberries come together
with hints of earth and oak on the nose. Cherry, raspberry,
and plum flavors emerge on the palate along with nuances
of dark chocolate and earth. A supple Merlot that's easy
to drink, it's ideal for guests that like red wine before
dinner or to pair with mushroom based dishes.
Rating: 87 |
|
Downton
Abbey 2012 Bordeaux Blanc
Winery:
Downton Abbey
Grape(s): 70% Muscadelle & 30% Semillon
Blanc
Region: Bordeaux
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 10-15
Review:
Citrus and floral aromas accented by hints of dried apricot
rise up from a glass. Flavors of apricot, peach, and tangerine
emerge on the palate along with floral and minerally accents.
A rich, round white that's quite approachable, it makes
for an ideal aperitif.
Rating: 87 |
|
Downton
Abbey 2012 Claret
Winery:
Downton Abbey
Grape(s): 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon,
5% Malbec
Region: Bordeaux
Year: 2012
Special Designation: n/a
Farming Certification:
(n/a)
Price: 10-15
Review:
A bouquet of bramble fruit, earth, and spicy oak greets
the senses. A sip delivers flavors of black cherry, currants,
and blackberry accented by notes of minerals, lavender,
and oak. A fairly robust Claret with dark fruit and an
earthy backbone, it would do well with a hearty beef stew.
Rating: 86 |
By
Jason Barlow
96
— 100 |
Spectacular |
92
— 95 |
Outstanding |
89
— 91 |
Great |
85
— 88 |
Good |
81
— 84 |
Solid |
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