Thankful for Wine
November! Here are 10 great wines to pair with the turkey celebration later this month!
RED WINE
2010 Château Pédesclaux Pauillac Bordeaux ($55)
50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 45% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. “Very pretty with currants, chocolate and hints of cappuccino. Full body, with velvety tannins and a long delicious finish. This the best wine in years from here. Better in 2017.” -James Suckling, 93-points.
2013 Jean-Louis Chave Sélection Côtes du Rhône Mon Coeur ($23)
“A much more accessible path to the heroic king of Hermitage is through the Jean-Louis Chave Sélections, his négociant line which sources grapes from various areas in the northern Rhône. (Mon Coeur Côtes du Rhône is a blend of excellent plots.) As with all things Chave, quality is eminent even at the entry level.” –Winemaker notes.
2014 Kerloo Cellars Majestic Red Wine Columbia Valley ($19)
“A blend of 54% Grenache, 38% Mourvèdre and 8% Syrah, with the fruit coming from some of the state’s top sites. What’s most striking about the wine–other than its exceptional price–is the aromatic purity, with notes of herbs, flowers, raspberry, orange peel and plum. The palate meanwhile puts a premium on texture, with a stretched out finish. It’s a one wine primer on what’s exciting about Rhône-style blends in Washington. Drink up! Editors’ Choice.” –Sean Sullivan, 92-points.
2014 Domaine Pascal Aufranc Chénas Beaujolais ($14)
“Outstanding. Just as the name indicates, this comes from vines planted in 1939. It has lots of vibrant red berry, autumn spice and floral scents, followed by dark soil and mineral nuances. On the palate, this is juicy and precise. The finish is smooth and elegant, with a lingering floral note and silky tannins. Drink now through 2021.” -International Wine Report, 90-points.
2015 Guilhem Moulin de Gassac Rouge Languedoc ($13)
A blend of 40% Syrah, 30% Grenache and 30% Carignan. It’s aged for six to seven months in stainless steel tanks. The wine is very fresh on the nose, showing dusted cherry, strawberry, a bit of raspberry, and a nice bit of spice. Very approachable with soft tannins and fresh fruit notes similar to the nose, the palate shows its Languedoc ‘terroir’ with a spicy, rustic finish.
2014 Hahn GSM Central Coast California ($11)
“Offers plenty of personality, with aromas of cherry, white pepper and smoky herb leading to zesty flavors of raspberry and licorice. Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre. Drink now through 2022. Smart Buy.” –Wine Spectator, 90-points.
WHITE WINE
2013 Lad oucette Sauvignon Blanc Pouilly-Fume Loire Valley ($32)
“Vivid yellow with a greenish tinge. Inviting aromas of lime zest, pink grapefruit and pear. Firm and stony on the attack, with tangy citrus flavors vying with weightier orchard fruits on the middle palate. Nicely focused sauvignon blanc, with a stony persistence reminiscent of talc and white pepper.” - International Wine Cellar, 90-points.
2014 J.J. Vincent Bourgogne Blanc ($18)
“Clean pale yellow color and green reflections. A nice brilliance. The nose is fresh and fruity, ripe and round with discrete vanilla and brioche scents. On the mouth, the wine is dense and rich, fresh and subtle with a good length and finesse. Overall, the wine is nicely balanced, fresh, and elegant with a long finish.” –Winemaker notes.
2015 Elk Cove Pinot Gris Willamette Valley ($17)
“Vivid and expansive, with tangy pear and cantaloupe flavors that play against hints of lime, finishing with polish. Smart Buy. Drink now through 2019.” –Wine Spectator, 90-points.
2014 Heinz Eifel Riesling Kabinett Mosel Germany ($12)
Heinz Eifel Riesling Kabinett is made from very ripe Riesling grapes from the middle Mosel Valley of Germany. These grapes are allowed to hang longer, earning the designation of ‘Kabinett’ because that is where these wines were stored for special occasions. Exudes flavors and aromas of peaches and citrus. A well-balanced young, fresh and fruity wine with crisp acidity.
CHEERS! ENJOY!
Kenneth Benner, a Seattle area native, is a trained chef and has worked in such restaurants as Barbacoa, B.O.K.A. Kitchen + Bar, and Dahlia Lounge. Ken is the wine buyer at Leschi Market. He has a passion for learning, a meticulous palate, and a tenacity for searching out the best for his customers while offering some of the most highly coveted wines in the area. His wine column is intended to inspire and explore new choices in wine, learn about wine with his readers, and share his knowledge and experiences in the wine world. Check out the latest at www.LeschiMarket.com or request to be added to email updates or send questions, comments, or suggestions to ken@leschimarket.com and follow the wine department directly on twitter at twitter.com/leschimarket.