Just Like Pie
Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
When people who love Oregon Pinot Noir talk about the wine’s sensual texture and earthy flavors, lots of ears prick up. In particular, the Pinots from Oregon’s Willamette (rhymes with dammit) Valley are sensational. Ken Wright’s “Latchkey Vineyard,” is savory, supple and has a core of rich red fruit. Think cherry cobbler disguised as wine. Ken Wright Cellars, ‘Latchkey Vineyard’ Pinot Noir 2020
Designer Double
Walla Walla Valley, Washington
One of the best things a wine can do is taste like it costs twice as much as it does. That’s this Seven Hills Cabernet. Washington had about 100 wineries 20 years ago; today it has more than 1000, and wine quality has soared. Most of the wineries are in the very dry eastern part of the state (leaving rainy Seattle to its coffeehouses). Seven Hills, ‘SHW Founding Vineyard’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Crème de la Crème
Sonoma Valley, California
In the world of rich, fleshy, full-bodied, luxury Chardonnay, no one does it better than Kistler. “Les Noisetiers” (French for “the hazelnut trees”) is luscious, complex and as languorously creamy as crème brûlée. Kistler is from one of the world’s best regions for Chardonnay—the uber-cold Sonoma Coast. Kistler, ‘Les Noisetiers’ Chardonnay 2020
Soft and Sexy
Mendoza, Argentina
I have one word to say about the wines of Argentina: tango. The Argentines “get” desire. Not surprisingly, Argentine Malbec (the leading red) is all about intriguing earthiness and oozy softness. Food tip: The Argentines consume more beef per capita than any other country, so if your cozy night involves a grilled steak, this is your wine. Bodegas Y Cavas Weinert, ‘Tonel Unico’ Malbec 2006
Hemingway Haunt
Rioja, Spain
Spain’s Rioja Reservas have the intoxicating aromas of fine leather, rare old books and damp forests after the rain. Among Spain’s most heralded red wines, they were often written about by Ernest Hemingway, among others. The name to know in Rioja is R. López de Heredia where the winemaking has not changed in more than a century. R. López de Heredia, ‘Viña Tondonia’ Rioja Reserva 2010
Cuddle Up Companion
Rhône Valley, France
My friend the wine writer Ray Isle deemed this Grenache-based red a “pajamas by the fire” wine. Bull’s-eye. Les Cassagnes is so soul satisfying, you won’t want to stop drinking it. Get ready for waves of flavor—from cherry liqueur to red licorice. Château la Nerthe, ‘Les Cassagnes’ Côtes du Rhône Villages 2020
Summer Well Spent
Sicily
Frappato has been one of Sicily’s most intriguing red varieties for hundreds of years. COS’ version is like diving into a cool pool of fresh cherries—the purity and vitality of the wine is simply off the charts. Hard to believe, but the winery—now famous—began as a summer project between three teenage Sicilian boys. Only in Italy! COS, Frappato 2021
Obscenely Good
Stellenbosch, South Africa
South Africa may seem like a newcomer on the fine wine scene, but winemaking here dates to the mid-1600s. This is one of the most luscious, hedonistic white wines in the world from Chenin Blanc vines planted in 1974, or “Friggin Marvelous Chenin,” as it is known. Ken Forrester, ‘The FMC’ Chenin Blanc 2021
Reaching New Heights
Adong, China
More than 8,000 feet up in the Himalayas (in a region fictionalized by novelist James Hilton as Shangri-La), is Ao Yun, owned by luxury giant Louis Vuitton Moët Hennessy. The winery’s name means “Above the Clouds” in Mandarin. The wine, a full-bodied, full-throttle Cabernet Sauvignon blend, is pricey but delicious. Ao Yun 2016
Swaddle Worthy
Canberra District, New South Wales, Australia
Someone wrapped you up in a cashmere blanket. That’s what drinking this Australian Shiraz feels like. Aussie’s most famous red grape variety is a delicious puddle of ripe berry flavors electrified with spiciness. Just about everyone who drinks Clonakilla (the winemaker left the priesthood to take over his family’s small winery) becomes a Shiraz convert. Clonakilla, ‘O’Riada’ Shiraz 2019
Adapted from The Wine Bible, 3rd Edition by Karen MacNeil, published by Workman Publishing © 2022
