In the several decades that I have been writing about wines, it has been interesting to see the wafting back and forth between preferences for blended wines and those made from a single grape variety, or at least dominated by it. Of course, some traditional regions regulate whether a single grape can be featured on a label, but some regions that once use only their names on the labels, such as Burgundy and Rioja, now sometimes feature the primary grape variety as well.
This dozen is weighted toward the varietals – eight of them, along with two Champagnes, a solo Portuguese red blend and a whiskey, blended of course.
2022 Eleven Eleven “Carol’s Song, Destin Vineyard” Oak Knoll of Napa Valley Riesling ($38). At first, more tart Chardonnay than Riesling with full flavors of apple and a hint of ginger. Gradually it opens up to muted floral flavors typical of the variety.
2022 Rombauer Carneros Chardonnay ($43). As with each vintage, golden flavors of toast and vanilla and mellow yellow apples.
2021 Villa Maria “Woven” Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc ($50). An excellent expression of Sauvignon, with some wood aging adding complexity, though very minimum wood flavors, to Sauvignon’s standard green fruitiness and crisp lime flavors.
NV Nicolas Feuillatte “Réserve Exclusive” Champagne Brut ($43). As other world bubblies rise in price, good Champagne remains affordable. This one is medium-bodied, yet very crisp with good intensity and flavors of light vanilla and freshly cracked grain.
NV Nicolas Feuillatte “Réserve Exclusive” Champagne Brut Rosé ($56). Great minerality with lovely dried strawberry flavors and structural intensity,
2022 Yalumba “Y Series” South Australian Pinot Noir ($15). Nice cherry flavors with some fragrant herbal notes all wrapped up in a medium-weight body.
2022 Esporão Reserve Alentejo Red Wine ($23). Tightly wound, with tart red berry flavors, a little earthiness and lots of dusty tannins.
2021 Beronia “Elaboración Especial” Rioja Tempranillo ($25). Light in fruit and body with cherry and dark strawberry flavors along with mellow wood notes and dusty tannins.
2020 Tasca d’Alermita “Sallier de la Tour” Sicilia Nero d’Avola ($48). Smooth, mainly red fruits with oak notes and a kicker of bright cherry fruit at the finish.
2020 Eleven Eleven “Destin Vineyard” Oak Knoll of Napa Valley Syrah ($85). Good mix of darkness and light that can typify Syrah – murky, textured earth and dark fruit flavors elevated by good acidity and walnut-flavored tannins.
2020 Eleven Eleven “X-1” Oak Knoll of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ($90). Very smooth and harmonious, with lots of flavorful fruitiness and tannins.
Buzzard’s Roost American Whiskey ($40). If you want a good but simple and affordable whiskey, smooth with dominant flavors of vanilla and caramel – perhaps to use in cocktails, this is your bottle. ABV – 52.5%.
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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