10 Wines for Christmas and New Years

Here are my recommended wines for the holiday season. The wines are listed in no particular order.

Schramsberg Blanc de Blanc 2005

A great champagne for Christmas Day and celebrating New Years. The blanc de blanc is 100% Chardonnay and has fantastic crisp green apple, lemon and pear flavors. Subtle creaminess and vanilla that doesn’t overpower the overall crispness. A classy wine.

Greenpoint Methode Traditionelle NV Brut

A basic bubbly for the price-conscious consumer. Crisp tight grapefruit and lemon with just the slightest hint of tropical sweetness. Light vanilla and pineapple finish. In no way sophisticated but enough complexity to be interesting.

Pio Cesare  Barolo 2004

Full-bodied and deep with tobacco, leather, Indian spices, a little cinnamon and cumin. Well structured with nice raspberry after decanting and warming up. This is a very traditional Borolo with fire, passion and the untamed roughness of Nebbiolo. The wine has relaxed after a few years in the cellar but still has plenty of power. It had an incredibly long finish.

Petalos Bierzo 2007

A lovely wine made from 100% Mancia in Spain.  Bright purple color with violet edges. Intense aromatic nose. Plenty of violets, minerals, very smoky. Bright blueberry and raspberry. Luscious inviting aroma. Elegant and smooth. Light finish with brisk acidity. Surprisingly sophisticated for such a cheap wine.

Antinori Pian delle Vigne Brunello di Montalcino 2004

Rich bouquet, with cherry fruit with cedary spice and a fair amount of warmth. On the palate there’s rich, sweet cherry fruit supported by smooth sweet tannins. Intense cherry acidity that flows into a clean cherry slightly bitter finish. A little lighter than I expected. Good drinking now but will reward those who cellar it for another two years. Expensive but worth it.

Chateau Lafon Rochet Saint Estephe 2005

Sweet aromatic fruit, bright, vibrant but not candied. Red fruit character, with notes of redcurrant. Nice texture with firm tannins at the core. A well composed palate with dense chunky fruit. Good now but drinking better in three to four years. On sale at Christmas.

Juan Gil Jumilla Silver Label 2006

The Juan Gil had an intense perfumed bouquet. Amber sap, petroleum, plenty of cherries, dark cedar and varnish. It smelled like expensive furniture. Sophisticated depth. On the palate there was plenty of creamy vanilla. Definitely new world style. Rich and vibrant cherries and blackberries but not sweet. Awesome power from the high alcohol, (14.5%). A little pepper, cardamon and smoke towards the end. Good value for the money.

Hunters Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007

A lovely New Zealand Pinot. Aromas of cherries, herbs, violets and a little mushroom. Light, structured strawberries, raspberries and some spice. Well-rounded, gritty finish. Reasonably priced.

Schloss Johannisberg Riesling Kabinett 2007er

Intense aroma. Zingy fresh pineapples, spicy, white pepper, slightly honeyed, with fresh daises. Lovely line from entry to finish through the palate. Light to medium-bodied with refreshing pineapple and acidity. Fresh stone fruit and a little white pepper. Good grip. An elegant wine for good friends and special occasions.

Poderi Aldo Conterno Langhe Dolcetto Masante 2005

A complex and weighty Dolcetto. Incredibly deep layered nose. Dark cherries and coffee supported by crisp acidity. Dense fruit with a strong tannic backbone. Long smooth finish. A great expression of this simple grape. Approachable and affordable for the budget-conscious.

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