There are more than enough articles suggesting the perfect sparkling wines for New Year’s Eve. From Cava to Cremant, from Prosecco to Champagne, almost every wine writer has their favorite picks. And that’s great! I hope you have done your research and have a fabulous bottle chilling as you read this. But before you pop those corks, you may be looking for a wine equally as exciting to be paired with beautifully crafted appetizers, a lavish buffet, or a romantic dinner for two before the ball drops at midnight.
Recently I was sent samples of two memorable wines that are so deliciously special that you may like to start the New Year’s Eve excitement a few hours early. The first, the 2012 Cornerstone Oregon, Willamette Valley Chardonnay, White Label will be a stellar wine with a savory cheese platter, gently cooked meats, a saucy chicken dish, and roasted or herbed fish. Likewise, the 2010 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto Vineyard will shine when paired with a rich coq au vin, Beef Wellington, pork tenderloin, or a juicy steak from the grill. Of course, you can also pair each wine with anticipatory thoughts of the beautiful evening and bright year ahead.
2012 Cornerstone Oregon ,Willamette Valley Chardonnay, White Label
Perhaps you have read many of my reviews of wines from Cornerstone Cellars. Their wines produced in Napa and Oregon continue to delight me with their consistency in winemaking and a palate profile that stays true to the nuances of each variety. The 2012 Cornerstone Oregon Willamette Valley Chardonnay, White Label (sample) is no exception. Craig Camp, Managing Partner, explained that “the 2012 chardonnay fruit was the most beautiful and defect free I’ve ever seen in Oregon. I think this is a perfect example of the extraordinary potential of chardonnay in Oregon and why I am convinced this is the best region for chardonnay in North America.”
I brought the bottle to one of my favorite restaurants where I shared it with dear friends who love good wine. Intense aromas of pears and stone fruit with a touch of minerality were light and creamy in this Chardonnay. Brilliantly smooth and balanced, dry and crisp, layers of rich ripe fruits were braided with a hint of butter leading to a long finish. Each sip was meant to be savored. All of us at the table remarked that this classic Chardonnay could be saved for three or four more years…wouldn’t it be fun to discover more layers? But we loved it that night with no regrets. You will, too. Cost is $40.
2010 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto Vineyard
When Don Melchor puts his name on a bottle I can be assured that the wine within will be crafted with finesse and elegance. He is an icon of winemaking and it was a true pleasure to receive this sample bottle which was chosen as #9 in the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines for 2014.
The growing and ripening period of the 2010 vintage was characterized by lower than usual temperatures in the Alto Maipo Valley of Chile. Cold evenings towards the end of the season slowed the ripening process and delayed the harvest. However, hand picked grapes exhibited “tremendous fresh-fruit Cabernet Sauvignon expression and highly elegant tannins.” Grown in alluvial soil with a semi-arid Mediterranean climate, the 2010 Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Puente Alto Vineyard demands (in the nicest way, of course) a place on your New Year’s Eve dinner table.
Deep red fruit and sweet spice of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Cabernet Franc grabbed my nose. Although I craved my first taste, I was mesmerized by the intense aromas in the glass. Notes of rich and jammy red fruits, minerality, and graphite were elegant on the palate. The initial juicy fruit tastes led to a more complex structure balancing tannins and acidity, fruit and alcohol. A deep, long finish didn’t want to let go and I was much more than satisfied. Cost is $125.
Happy New Year! ~ Cindy
Sahmmelier