TheBurg

Joao Cabral de Almeida Camaleao Alvarinho Minho 2018, Code # 79125, $11.99 "Tangerine, apple and peach notes are fleshy and dense. e tightly coiled palate offers mineral undertones and creamy texture with lifting, structured acidity. An impressive and complex young alvarinho (Portuguese name for albariño) to serve cool, but not fully chilled. Tremendous!" —Josh Hull, wine buyer for the Chairman's Selection® program J Wilkes Pinot Noir Santa Maria Valley 2017, Code # 79132, $16.99 "Bright cherry and berry flavors are fashioned to fresh acidity in this rich, fruity style. Spicy accents emerge on the minerally finish. Drink now through 2023." —90 Points Wine Spectator, Jun 2019 Luigi Bosca DOC Malbec Lujan de Cuyo Single Vineyard 2016, Code #80609, $15.99 "A complex malbec that shows violets, blueberries, strawberries, chocolate and hazelnuts. Hints of licorice too. Medium to full body, firm and well-integrated tannins and a deep and precise finish. Drink now or hold." —93 Points James Suckling, Apr 2018 the GiFt oF GRape Steve—I mean Santa—has something for under your tree. bY steVe JuLIAnA A t this time of year, many questions come to mind. Is this gift the right color? Will they like this? What should I take for the meal? With these queries in mind, I attended the recent Chairman's Selection tasting. I didn't find answers for everything I was wondering about, but I did find many good wines that will make great gifts and will match up with many a holiday feast. Keep sipping, Steve WHITE WINE Bayten Sauvignon Blanc 2018, $9.99, Code #79140 Fresh, tangy unoaked white from Loire valley by way of South Africa. Clean, with grapefruit flavors. Starmont Sauvignon Blanc 2017, $11.99, Code # 79136 Classic Loire grape from Napa Valley. Well-balanced with lemon, lime and mint accents. Joao Cabral de Almeida Camaleao Alvarinho 2018, $11.99, Code #79125 Zesty wine from Iberia's best grape. Good acidity with hints of peach and minerals. For seafood and shrimp. Bourgogne Select Chardonnay Macon Villages 2018, $12.99, Code #79107 Tasty unoaked chardonnay from southern French Burgundy. Good depth and fruit. Versatile on your holiday table. Divum Chardonnay Monterey 2016, $11.99, Code #79124 Creamy Cali white with great texture, fruit and hazelnut notes. Nice finish. Raymond Reserve Selection Chardonnay 2017, $13.99, Code #79138 Stylish Cali chard. Great food wine with pear and honeysuckle. Great on the holiday table. RED WINE J. Wilkes Pinot Noir 2017, $16.99, Code #79132 Easy drinking pinot from Santa Barbara County. Cherry, berry and spice flavors dominate. Good bargain. Boedecker Cellars Stewart Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2015, $19.99, Code # 79097 Well-balanced and subtle pinot done in a French style with wild berry and herbal flavors. David Bruce Pinot Noir Russian River Valley 2017, $26.99, Code #79152 Big Cali pinot from one of the West Coast's best regions. Big fruit with great depth and long finish. Domaine Les Verrieres Les Sept Fontaines 2014, $10.99, Code #79104 Fruit-driven blend from Landuedoc with classic Rhone varieties in a fresh, unoaked style. Domaine Terlato & Chapoutier Shiraz Lieu-Dit Malakoff, $15.99, Code #79154 Big Aussie shiraz from obscure wine region. Great fruit with balance plum and clove palate. Luigi Bosca Malbec Single Vineyard Lujan De Cuyo D.O.C. 2016, $15.99, Code #80609 High quality malbec from Argentina. Big fruit, tame tannins, big alcohol. Great balance. Cune Rioja Gran Reserva 2011, $19.99, Code #79100 Well-aged Spanish tempranillo. Well-balanced fruit and tannins. Good finish. Great food quaff. Bersano Generala Barbera Nizza Riserva 2015, $14.99, Code #79128 Highly rated Italian red. Full-bodied and balanced with great fruit and nice finish. For Italian BYOBs. Bersano Nirvasco Barolo 2015, $25.99, Code # 79129 Classic Nebbiolo from Piedmont region. Easy drinking with dried cherries and rose-petal nuances. Drink now or lay down for later. Villa Mora Montefalco Sagrantino 2010, $17.99, Code #79076 Huge Umbrian red from a great vintage. Deep and dark with earth and cherry notes. Open, decant, pour. Gabriel Meffre Domaine De Longue Toque Gigondas 2015, Code #79073 Classic blend from southern Rhone region. A good year with wines to match. Balanced and nuanced. Delicious.

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