class=” tnt-byline asset-byline” rel=” popover “itemprop=” author “> JOHN VANKAT Romantic wines are perfect for commemorating your special someone. Especially appealing are red wines featuring abundant, fascinating flavors extending for fantastic length … wines that make the heart sing. Below are my suggestions across a broad variety of grapes, styles and costs.
$ 10s-$ 20s
Veuve du Vernay non-vintage champagne “Ice Rosé, France” ($ 15): Appealing to the eye, nose and taste buds, this fine value outperforms its price with appealing fruit and modest sweet taste revealed for impressive length.Gonzalez Byass non-vintage Sherry” Solera 1847, Cream, Jerez Xeres, Spain “($ 17; 375 ml): Highly enjoyable with its full body, improved balance, significant intricacy and outstanding finish.CARYS 2020 Pinot Gris” Monterey”($ 20): My favorite white wine in this
rate range has appealing color in addition to strength, intricacy and character on nose and palate. Additionally, the label displays a prominent heart since” Carys” is a Welsh name meaning love. People are also reading … Josh 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon “Reserve, Paso Robles “($ 22 ): Delight in the color shade
and depth before sipping pleasing fruit
, complexity, combination and refinement. Medium tannins recommend pairing with beef.L’ Ecole No. 41 2019 red mix” Frenchtown, Columbia Valley” ($ 22): Extremely appealing all-around with purple-tinged color accompanied by fruit, strength and intricacy on nose and palate.Additional fine values: A to Z 2020 Rosé “Oregon”($ 16 ); Colby Red 2020 red mix” California”($ 17 ); King Estate 2020 Sauvignon Blanc “Oregon”($ 19); Scotto non-vintage sparkling wine” Brut Rosé, California”($ 22
); Esporao 2018 red mix” Reserva, Portugal “($ 25). $30s- $40s Zenato 2017 red blend” Superiore, Valpolicella Ripasso, Italy “($ 30): This magnificently purple-toned wine functions strength and intricacy on nose and palate, along with rounded body, forward but well-balanced fruit, medium-strong tannins, noteworthy personality and lingering length.La Storia( by Trentadue) 2019 Merlot “Block 500, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County”($ 34): Perfectly purple-hued, this great red wine has vitality, full body, forward however well-balanced fruit, intricacy and much more.Frescobaldi 2018 Chardonnay “Benefizio, Pomino Bianco, Riserva
, Tuscany, Italy”($ 37): Memorable Chardonnay, with well-rounded body, extremely pleasing fruit, excellent balance, medium-light oak and an extended finish.Ghost Hull 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon” San Lucas Vineyard, San Lucas, Monterey County”($
43): This superb buy outshines lots of greater priced Cabs. I loved its deep purple tone, strength and intricacy on both nose and taste buds, healthy fruit and exceptionally long finish.Harney Lane 2019 Zinfandel” Old Vine, Lizzy James Vineyard, Lodi“($ 44; direct shipping): Enjoy its color shade and depth along with multi-layered aromas and appealing fruit, balance, forwardness and length.Fritz 2018 Pinot Noir” Russian River Valley, Sonoma County”( $45): Gorgeous all around, this well-priced Pinot Noir is most pleasing on the taste buds with strength and full body accompanied by excellentbalance, integration, intricacy, character and length. Beautiful!Gary Farrell non-vintage dessert red wine” Dulcette, Sonoma County”( $45; 375 ml; direct shipping ): This extremely enticing Port-styled white wine is effective and layered
on the nose in addition to outstanding on the taste buds with its thick body, strong fruit, honed balance, meaningful personality and extended finish.Others of high quality: Domaine de Bila-Haut( by M. Chapoutier) 2018 white blend” Occultum Lapidem, Cotes du Roussillon”($ 45; direct shipping); Lake Sonoma
2019 Malbec” Lazy Canine Vineyards, Sonoma Valley”($ 45; direct shipping ); Kokomo 2019 Pinot Noir” Gopher Hill Block, Peters Vineyard, Sonoma Coast($ 46; direct shipping ); Fulcrum non-vintage sparkling wine” Brut Rosé, Sonoma County “($ 48; direct shipping); Fesstivity( by Fess Parker )2018 champagne” Blanc de Noir, Sta. Rita Hills”($ 49; direct shipping); Robert Biale 2019 Petite Sirah” Royal Punishers, Napa Valley “( $49).$ 50s and more Hartford Court 2019 Chardonnay” Four Hearts Vineyard, Russian River Valley”( $ 50): Strong but refined, this full-bodied red wine has beautiful fruit, yet outstanding balance, in addition to remarkable complexity, integration, improvement and surface. Plus, the name of the vineyard is fitting for Valentine’s Day.Once & Future 2019 Zinfandel” Green & Red Vineyard, Napa Valley “($ 55 ): This personal favorite among Zins has all of it. Deep-purple color. Effective nose expressing beautiful fruit and layers of complexity. Exceptional balance, combination, character and length on the taste buds. A special wine for an unique day.Louis Roederer non-vintage” Collection
242, Champagne, France“($ 63): I loved the appealing, deep-yellow color and extremely refined nose, along with its strength, medium dry to dry character and highly attractive complexity that brings throughout an extended finish.Merry Edwards 2019 Chardonnay” Olivet Lane, Russian River Valley, Sonoma County “($ 68; direct shipping): The best Chardonnay I have actually tasted in numerous months! Deep yellow with a tip of gold &. Outstanding intricacy on the nose. Thick body, gorgeous fruit, refined balance, exceptional combination and more.Charles Krug 2017 red blend” Generations, Family Reserve, Napa Valley” ($ 75 ): Another exceptionally outstanding white wine, especially with its heavy body, fantastic strength, forward but wonderfully well balanced fruit and long-lingering finish.Maysara 2015 Pinot Noir “Delara, Momtazi Vineyard, Oregon” ($ 95; direct shipping): This appealing white wine brims with quality. I loved its forwardness and intricacy on nose and taste buds, plus its rounded body, effective but well-balanced fruit and highly enticing combination, refinement, personality and finish.Grgich Hills 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon “Old Vine, Yountville, Napa Valley” ($ 150; direct shipping): Seeking perfection? This superb white wine is remarkable in all measurements. Dark purple color and an effective nose, yet much more remarkable on the palate with flawless balance, complexity, combination and refinement.More fine red wines
: Once & Future 2019 Zinfandel “Bedrock Vineyard, Sonoma County “($ 50); Zetta( by Smith-Devereux) 2018 red mix “Napa Valley “($ 64; direct shipping ); Lanson non-vintage” Le Rosé, Champagne, France”( $70). Suggested red wines can be ordered from local wine stores unless suggested otherwise. Rates might vary. John can be reached at [email protected]. Get local news provided to your inbox!