November 25, 2024 – Top Wines, Thanksgiving Pairings, & Rockstar Winemakers

Wine News Round-Up

Wine Spectator – Top 10 Wines of 2024

Viña Don Melchor takes the top spot this year with their Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Puente Alto Vineyard 2021.  Wine Spectator gave this wine a score of 96 Points.  If you can find a bottle, the original retail price was $175.  Steep for a Chilean wine.

The wines in the top 10 price out in order for one down to 10 as follows: $175, $170, $180, $65, $120, $44, $114, $72, and number 10 at $42.  

VinePair – The 50 Best Wines of 2024

The VinePair to 50 list only has two wines in the $100+ range,  a handful in the $70 range, and the bulk of them in the $20 to $50 range.  Their #1 pick is the 2023 Arnot-Roberts Sonoma Coast Syrah, for which they score 95 Points at a price point of $40.  

Wine Cellar HQ – 12 Best Thanksgiving Wines: Classic & Unexpected Pairings

And as we head into Thanksgiving this Week, Wine Cellar HQ Picks their top 12 wines for Thanksgiving and throws in some pairing suggestions as well.

Here are their suggestions for Cranberry Sauce:

Cranberry sauce has a tart, sweet profile, so you’ll need a wine with enough acidity to match its bold flavors.

• Gamay: This light-bodied red wine is bursting with bright red fruit flavors, making it an excellent match for the tanginess of cranberry sauce.
• Rosé: A dry rosé can offer a refreshing contrast to the sweetness of cranberry sauce while complementing the turkey and other dishes on the table.
• Beaujolais: This light red wine complements the fruitiness of the sauce.

Wine Enthusiast – Meet Napa’s New Wave of All-Star Consulting Winemakers

Nice round-up on some of Napa’s top consulting winemakers.  The old guard:

Bordeaux-born Philippe Melka, known for Lithology and Lail’s richly structured and age-worthy reds; Lyon-bred winemaker Benoit Touquette, who specializes in California wines with a French accent; and Thomas Rivers Brown, a South Carolina kid turned Napa powerhouse who has a knack for making artful but hyper-precise wines. 

Wine & Winery of the Week

Siboney Cellars in Johnson City, Texas

Siboney Cellars in Johnson City is a testament to the evolving diversity of Texan wines. Drawing on Cuban roots and a deep appreciation for Texan terroir, this unique winery, owned and operated by Barbara Lecuona, brings together bold flavors and cultural richness to create a memorable experience for every visitor.

2018 Gandona Winery, Meia Cabernet Franc

2018 was a good year for wine in Napa Valley, and this bottle of 2018 Gandona ‘Meia’ Cabernet Franc, Napa Valley, is a testament to that. The spring weather was superb; temperatures were in that sweet spot, not too hot and not too cold, and the grape clusters enjoyed extended time on the vine. Harvest went two to three weeks beyond what it had the previous few seasons. We drink a fair number of Bordeaux varieties, and we have to say, hands down, that this Cab Franc from Gandona Estate is the best Cab Franc we’ve ever had.

Restaurant and Corkage of the Week

Larsen Restaurant Hotel Laguna

The Larsen Restaurant, nestled within charming Hotel Laguna, offers California coastal cuisine at its finest. The scene here reflects the approachable luxury that Laguna Beach is known for, with breathtaking ocean views, hand-crafted cocktails, and always attentive service. 

Corkage Fee: $35 – Per Bottle / No Limit