Our first Twelve ultimate wines to rock your celebrations! What was the favorite wine you drank this year? Regardless of price, what was the best? Take this opportunity to craft another list of your own, but thank Dan at Corkscrew Wine Merchants in Portland Oregon for this one! Wild Side Destinations and Destination Weddings.travel says add any of these to a reception, celebration, romantic rendezvous or camp-out by the fire!
Here we go, the twelve wines that rocked your celebrations for 2014 and 2015, in no particular order, and with no particular semblance.
1. Vincent Pinard Sancerre ‘Le Petit Chemarin’ 2010, $55. The most complete and magnificient bottle of Sauvignon Blanc I’ve tasted in years. Nuanced, balanced, and ridiculous. If only one could drink this every day…
2. Melaric ‘Tandem’ 2011, $22. A Loire valley throwback red wine crafted of the maligned variety Grolleau Noir combined with Cabernet Franc. Drank this cool, early last summer, with a friend while mashing a boudin blanc sandwich. I can still taste it.
3. L’Idylle Arbin Mondeuse 2011, $21. This crunchy red wine of the Savoie, the border area between France and Switzerland in the Alps, was a real eye opener. As far off the mainstream as possible but immediately lovable. Ready for a wintertime raclette.
4. Roccafiore ‘Prova d’Autore’ Umbria Rosso 2008, $35. Those that know my wine tastes know well that I choose Italian wine more carefully than anywhere. And when one resonates, well, its just hard to forget. This muscular red from the middle of Italy blends Sangiovese, Montepulciano and Sagrantino. It needs a thick, rich meat stew.
5. Klaus Lentsch Gewurztraminer 2010, $28. This one reads like an Austrian or German wine, right? But no, buddies, this is Italian too. A true cool climate Gewurzt from Alto Adige in Italy’s most northern climes, the Dolomites. A dry version that might the most aromatically wonderful wine on this list.
6. Claude Genet Brut Rosé NV, $69. You knew I’d get around to Champagne at some point. I’ve become a real fan of pink bubbles over the last few years. Tasting this one was the penultimate. The aromas and fine bubble alone are completely intoxicating. I wish I could have a glass every day when I get home.
7. Pinson Chablis Grand Cru ‘Les Clos’ 2009, $65. The pinnacle of anti-Chardonnay Chardonnay. A mouthful of white wine that gives the impression of a mouthful of wet rocks wrapped around a lime-infused cocktail. But its the weight and concentration that make it uniquely Chablis. Wow.
8. Roche Bleue Jasnières ‘Molieres’ 2010, $28. We drank this during a little dinner party a few months ago and every sip just kept on giving. Minerally, dry, energetic Chenin Blanc at its best. A truly glorious bottle of Loire valley white wine.
9. Quinta de la Quietud Toro Tinto 2006, $32. The newest addition to the list and a wine I had gotten familiar with years ago. A jaw dropper to have it cross my path again. Warm climate Tempranillo from the middle of Spain that drinks more like old Bordeaux. Holy hell, what a bottle of red wine.
10. Foundry Vineyards Artisan Red 2006, $44. One domestic wine makes the list, a Bordeaux-ish blend from this Walla Walla winery. Totally unlike those saturated alcohol bombs that permeate the market, this one is elegant, refined and complex. Yeah, its hefty, but its somehow fine and enjoyable too. We need more wines like this from Washington.
11. Bernard Stehelin Gigondas 2010, $37. Opponents will lament, “but that’s too young to drink a Rhone red!” Well, tough. I love youthful Grenache-based wines. This one knocked it out of the park. Succulent, juicy, and rich. And if you’re inclined…buy some and open it in 10 years. It will still rock!
12. Pedro Martinez Alesanco Rioja Gran Reserva 2005, $37. Everything this winery puts out is worth it. When I had the chance to grab a some I jumbed right aboard. The wine is velvety, rich, black-fruited and remarkable. Tempranillo really can be a noble grape when handled this way.
Ready, set, toast to a new 2015 celebration
Wild Side Destinations, Travel & Weddings 