The holiday season is a particularly warm and wonderful time of the year when we gather together to celebrate and to dine with family and friends.
And since red wine seems to go so well with the warmth of this special season – especially lighter-bodied red wines such as pinot noir, which offer structure and vibrancy but are not so tannic as to overpower your holiday fare – noted below are three personal libationary recommendations (all three from Oregon, by the way) to bring good cheer to your holiday celebrations and, perhaps, a special present to the wine lover in your life.
2019 Chad Pinot Noir Willamette Valley: On the nose, black cherry seems to predominate, aided and abetted by just a sensual touch of spice. The palate, vibrant & complex, is pure pinot, with an abundance of berry fruit flavors and soft, silky tannins. The finish is smooth & elegant. An outstanding wine, at an equally outstanding price point. To my knowledge, this wine is not available through Pennsylvania State Stores. It is, however, readily available from a variety of sources online, priced as low as $19.99.
2021 King Estate Inscription Willamette Valley Pinot Noir: Several years ago, King Estate launched a new brand of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir called Inscription, which was created expressly to demonstrate Oregon’s unique place among the world’s wines. The result has been overwhelmingly favorable among wine critics and wine lovers alike. This is a wine that is round on the palate, laced with strawberry & raspberry fruit flavors complemented by just a subtle hint of oak. Currently on sale at Total Wine for $19.99.
2019 Stoller Dundee Hills Pinot Noir: This is a lovely wine… and one of my favorite pinots. It is a bright ruby color in the glass and sports an equally bright nose alive with aromas of red fruits. Soft and elegant on the palate, its tannins are silky smooth, leading to a long, light and ethereal finish. Online, this wine will run in the $25.00 – $30.00 range. However, the last time I checked, PA State Stores were running a clearance sale of about $9.00 per bottle. And don’t fret if you cannot procure the 2019, the 2020 & 2021 are equally recommendable.
Cheers and Happy Holidays!
TAD
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