If food is the way to the heart, wine just might be the way to the soul. Giving reason for special dinners or last-minute rendezvous with your friends, a bottle of wine can offer purpose and rhythm to any evening. And for the holidays— whether celebrating over a family meal, intimate dinner or lively party— a great bottle of wine makes festivities all the more exceptional. From rich reds to crisp whites, see nine wines below that will elevate your holiday gathering.
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The vines of the 26-acre Sullivan estate were first planted in 1978, resulting in cabernets that are balanced and structured. Living up to its reputation, the 2019 J.O. Sullivan Founder’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is generous and complex.
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For an excellent bottle of wine, New Zealand’s most awarded winery is always a safe bet. A red blend of merlot, malbec and cabernet, the 2018 Ngakirikiri showcases ripe fruit and hints of black olive and cigar. What’s more, it will age well for 15 to 20 years with careful cellar management.
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Marking the 41st vintage of Quilceda Creek’s Columbia Valley cabernet, winery president Paul Golitzin promises it’s their best yet. Flavors range from blackberry and black cherry to cassis and plum.
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The Beckstoffer To Kalon vineyard reaps warmth in the day and is cooled by breezes in the late afternoon, making for a ripe cab with balanced acidity. The deep ruby-colored wine is illuminated by flavors of red currants, black cherry and mulberry preserve.
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Napa’s Far Niente Wine Estates has a Russian River Valley pinot label more than worth considering. Promising the best pinot noir that the region has to offer, the 2021 Les Pommiers is its flagship wine and features a violet and strawberry aroma and notes of spice and toasted oak.
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The holidays are all about family, which makes a cabernet that pays homage to the true meaning of home a great pick. The Gamble’s vineyard has been in the family for three generations and this 2016 bottle serves as a proper testament to that land. Aromas of strawberries, wild berries and dried fig featuring hints of dried tobacco, lavender and jasmine flower give way to notes of black raspberry, cherry cola and espresso.
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It’s always wise to have a variety of libations, so to check off your white wine option, look to Ponzi Vineyards Laurelwood Chardonnay. Between bites of mashed potatoes, you’ll experience meringue, peach, D’anjou pear and citrus, followed by a lingering silky sweetness and a salty, slate minerality to finish.
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The U.S.’s top premium wine brand has a reserve collection fit with picks ideal for hearty meals and cozy nights. If you’re cooking up burgers or smoked vegetables, this Josh Cellars bottle is a solid choice and offers notes of cedar, caramel and a subtle hint of bourbon with aromas of dark chocolate, vanilla, coffee and sweet burnt toffee.
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The critically acclaimed luxury Sonoma Bordeaux brand will surely impress all dinner guests. For an excellent sauvignon blanc, the 2021 barrel fermented bottle is a prime select. It is the first vintage to include the estate-grown sémillion and sauvignon musqué that was planted on the property in 2019.
Connoisseurs or casual vino appreciators, a holiday gathering is always bettered by a great bottle of wine.
Photography by: Pixabay/Stevepb
