In much of the U.S., January has been one of those months that can’t seem to make up its mind – freezing or spring-like warm, snow or rain, gloomy or sunny. But whatever the weather or whatever mood you are in, we have wines for you.
And, if you are thinking ahead to Valentine’s Day, we have Champagnes and other sparkling wines, as well as seductive whites and reds if you want to show him or her your fantastic cooking and entertaining skills.
As for price range – uhhh, sorry, but most of this Double Dozen are rather on the pricey side.
2022 Susana Balbo “Crios Sustenia” Valle de Uco Chardonnay ($19). Lots like a Sauvignon Blanc – racy green fruit, especially lime, with a crisp, satisfying finish – and 9% alcohol.
2022 Forrest Estate “Brigid” Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($20). Enjoyable, low-alcohol (9.5%) drinking – very fruity with ripe kiwi and juicy apple flavors and a tart finish.
2022 Louis Jadot Chablis ($26). Reliable, basic Chablis – medium body, lots of stony minerality, crisp apple flavors but with a creamy finish.
2021 Etude “Grace Benoist Ranch” Carneros Pinot Gris ($32). Lovely pear aromas and flavors along with some creamy textures – very supple, with a lingering finish.
2022 Herdade da Malhadinha Alentejo Nova Branco ($35). Somewhat viscous blend, with Chardonnay-like apple flavors, but a bit denser profile.
2021 Beringer “Private Reserve” Napa Valley Chardonnay ($50). The old reliable – ripe but mellow apple and pear fruits with buttery, lightly caramel toast.
NV Norton “101 Bubbles” Mendoza Grüner Veltliner Brut Nature ($16). A very floral sparkling with smooth flavors of pear and mellow apple and a crisp, lightly tangy finish.
2021 Bouvet Ladubay Crémant de Loire ($20). A little light on bubbles after initial froth as well as on acidity, but nice, soft flavors of apples and mellow pears.
2022 Medici Ermette “Phermento” Lambrusco di Sorbara Dry Sparkling Wine ($30). Light, light, light, with tart strawberry flavors and a vanishing finish.
NV Domaine Carneros by Taittinger “Cuvée de la Pompadour” Carneros Brut Rosé ($49). Lovely, full-bodied bubbly, strong on structure with lightly tangy strawberry aromas and flavors and light tannins and minerality.
NV Brion Wise “Cuvée Ronda” Champagne Blanc de Blancs Extra Brut ($85). Crisp with stony minerality, light tannins and a lightish body.
2015 Brion Wise Champagne Brut ($175). Aged, vintage Champagnes are always a delight, and this one has lovely golden aromas, with flavors of grain and spent yeasts, vanilla, lemon peel, caramel and is very creamy with light tannins.
2022 San Felice Toscano Rosato ($5). A little tangy with a mix of citrus, strawberry and savory flavors.
2022 Leyda Reserva Valle de Leyda Pinot Noir ($15). Modest but very enjoyable – impactful flavors of cherries and cola, some minerality, long on the palate.
2021 Fitapreta Alentejano Tinto ($25). Jammy and smoky aromas with very floral black fruits and a hint of smoke.
2022 Forrest Estate “Brigid” Marlborough Pinot Noir ($25). Like a light rosé – pungent aromas with light and tangy cherry flavors and a reduced 9.5% alcohol.
2020 San Pedro “1865 Master Blend” Chile Red Wine ($25). Good blending of oak and fruit, with cassis and slightly tart blackberry flavors and dusty tannins.
2021 Herdade do Rocim Alentejano Alicante Bouschet ($29). An old grape – intensely colored purple – but a new star in this Portuguese region, with creamy ripe raspberry and blackberry flavors with an earthy, tannic finish.
2018 Casa Relvas “Herdade de São Miguel” Alentejano Tinto ($35). Creamy blend of black and red fruits with mellow flavors of neutral oak.
2017 José Maria de Fonseca “José de Sousa” Alentejano Tinto ($39). The vino equivalent of an Islay malt – pleasantly herbal and smoky, more savory than fruity.
2019 Sequoia Grove Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($51). A velvet-glove Cab – soft flavors of cassis, mulberry and plums, but with a firm structure and lots of soft tannins.
2021 Force & Grace by Joseph Carr Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($55). Slightly tart fruitiness of blackberry and fresh cherry with lots of dusty tannins and a slightly rough finish.
2019 Querciabella Chianti Classico Riserva ($67). Good richness of textures and flavors, mainly tart cherries, with a pleasing raspy finish.
2021 Force & Grace by Joseph Carr “Revelist” Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($125). Mainly a red-fruit Cab, chewy but not heavy with mellow tannins but a very sharp finish.
Prices listed are generally SRP or from wine-searcher.com. As more wineries are now shipping direct-to-consumer, check the winery website if you can’t find a bottle in your retail store.
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