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December Wines

By Amy Reiley

Red is the color of Christmas and it is also the color of most of the world's finest wines.  This holiday season, dress yourself in red with any or all of these saucy numbers

Patz and Hall
2002 Pinot Noir, Alder Springs Vineyard, Mendocino, CA
Liquid velvet. This is one of those rare, boutique bottlings that hits the right balance between grape growing and winemaking. Too often premium wines suffer from over-coddling by the winemaker, but sometimes, as in the case of this romantic, cherry red Pinot, the wine sings with complexity and interest. $$$$

Fairview
2002 Shiraz The Beacon, Paarl, South Africa  
This inky black wine is almost thick with body and flavor. Though a touch overripe in its fruit flavors, its cooked berry taste is balanced by a biting, brambly finish. $$$

Duckhorn  
1999 Estate Cabernet, Patzimaro Vineyard, St. Helena, CA
One of the most interesting interpretations of Napa Valley Cabernet offers a constantly evolving array of flavors. Cumin, currants, brambles and leather are are just a small sampling of this Cab’s many moods. $$$$

Cosentino
Petite Sirah, Lodi, CA
From its striking ruby color to its floral and herbal aromas, this wine shows what an interesting wine the Petite Syrah grape can produce. $$$

Principe Corsini  
2000 Chianti Classico Don Tommaso, Tuscany, Italy
While pretty is not normally the first word that pops to mind when describing Chianti, pretty is what this wine most certainly is. Well structured with herbal and earthy nuances, it’s a wine that is pleasurable on its own or with a meal. $$

Ceja  
2000 Vino de Casa Red, Napa Valley, CA
Gorgeous plum color, complex aromas, fine balance -- what more could you ask from a Napa wine? You could ask for something affordable and thanks to the Ceja family, that wish is a reality. This new red blend from Napa’s leading Hispanic winery represents gourmet drinking on even the most paltry budget. $$

Gary Farrell
2002 Zinfandel, Sonoma County, CA
Some say it’s a sin to recommend Zin among the great reds, but when a winery gets it right, this bad boy varietal can be so good. Gary Farrell’s rendition leans toward the grape’s luscious side, with a complex and mouth-filling array of berry and cherry flavors dancing across the tongue. $$$

Elderton
2001 CSM, Barossa Valley, Australia
A wonderful wine by any measure, the CSM (Cab, Shiraz, Merlot) is a leader of the pack among Aussie reds. Rich and full-flavored, its generous berry flavors are nicely balanced by tart acidity and just a little, indefinable, earthy something to round it all out. $$$

Les Tourelles de Longueville
Bordeaux, France
The “downscale” lable of the acclaimed Pichon Baron Chateau, Les Tourelles, although a much more affordable drink, flashes with the brilliance of its Bordeaux origins. Bright fruit flavors mingle in perfect harmony with the taste of the Medoc soil. $$$

Joseph Phelps Vineyards
2001 Le Mistral, Monterrey County
An homage to the exceptional wines of France’s Rhone Valley, Le Mistral is a stirring blend featuring Syrah and Grenache. It is a mouth-filling wine packed with berry and herb flavors rounded out by its bold, tannic structure. $$

$ under 15USD
$$ 15-25USD
$$$ 25-50USD
$$$$ over 50USD

Woman on Wine is the syndicated wine column from Master of Gastronomy Amy Reiley’s monthly enewsletter, Life of Reiley, available from www.lifeofreiley.com.

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