by Natasha Wolff | October 8, 2014 11:38 am
If you read our story[1] about choosing seasonally-appropriate wines, you’ll remember that fall is all about variety. Step outside for a moment. Are there still hints of summer in the air? If the answer is yes, by all means reach for the nearest rosé. Otherwise, it might be time to start considering a Pinot Noir or a full-bodied Rhone-style blend. Below, we asked five wine experts to share their favorite fall bottles. Here’s what they had to say.
1. Marvelous Yellow Blend 2012
“A blend of Chenin Blanc (60%), Chardonnay (30%) and Viognier (10%), this is a great expression of a Cape white blend. The wine is fragrant and perfumed, but it also has the palate weight to pair with stews and some spicy foods. The Chenin Blanc in this blend comes from old bush vines, so it’s also an incredible value. This is a great wine to ease yourself into the fall season; reminiscent of summer but with enough zip and viscosity to handle bolder, cool weather flavors.” – Paul Nicholls and Rebecca Tanner, Winemakers, Fable Mountain Vineyards
Marvelous Yellow Blend 2012, $15, marvelouswines.com[2]
2. 2013, Croteaux Rosé, Merlot No. 3, Long Island
“An everyday ‘go-to’ wine. This may be a surprising addition to the fall wine collection, but rosé can make a comeback in the cooler months. Incredible color, light strawberry on the nose, clean minerality on the palate. Apple, honey, melon and honeysuckle.” – Michelle Reeves, Co-Founder, IKnowtheWineMaker.com, Owner, David Family Wines
2013 Croteaux Rosé, Merlot No. 3, $28, croteaux.com[3]
3. Franciacorta Brut
“The prince of Italian sparkling wines, the Italian alternative to the French champagne. It’s fresh, intense and perfect as an aperitif, but also pairs well with rice or pasta main courses.” – Arturo Ziliani, CEO and Managing and Production Director for Berlucchi Franciacorta
Berlucchi Franciacorta Brut, $35, berlucchi.us[4]
4. 2011 The Hilt, The Old Guard Pinot Noir
“This is a ‘humble-brag bottle.’ It’s hard to find, has an incredible story and puts all other wines in the room to shame with its incredible taste. A sister wine to global cult wine Screaming Eagle which auctions for tens of thousands per bottle, The Hilt produces roughly 200 cases of this Pinot and is a true insider’s wine. It sells out in mere weeks. Perfumed red fruit, ground white peppercorns, candied strawberries and dried tobacco.” – Reeves
2011 The Hilt, The Old Guard Pinot Noir, $85, thehiltwines.com[5]
5. Chablis, La Forest, Dauvissat
“Un-oaked chardonnay! A wonderfully crisp wine that ages well and pairs very well with seafood.” – Per Holmberg, Head of Christie’s Wine Department
Chablis, La Forest, Dauvissat, $85, villagewinery.co[6]
6. Miura, 2012 Monterey Pinot Noir
“Full-bodied with strawberry and raspberry fruit. Balanced beautifully with earth tones of mushroom, tea leaves and wet clay.” – Reeves
Miura 2012 Monterey Pinot Noir, $35, miuravineyards.com[7]
7. Mulderbosch Rosé 2014
“The Mulderbosch Rosé is one of the more unique rosés on the market as it’s made from 100% cabernet sauvignon, resulting in a deeper pink color. It is a bit bigger than your typical rosé, so it can stand up to heavier, meat-based fall dishes, yet still maintains the refreshing qualities that a rosé should possess. We like to advocate drinking rose year-round, and the weight of this wine makes it the perfect exemplar.” – Nicholls and Tanner
Mulderbosch Cabernet Sauvignon Rose 2014, $15, mulderbosch.co.za[8]
8. Bolgheri Rosso Superiore DOC
“From Tuscany with a strong and complex character. Great for a more rich and full-bodied dish.” – Ziliani
Bolgheri Rosso Superiore DOC, $57, collemassari.it[9]
9. Sadie Family Palladius, South Africa, 2007
“Sublime and very well structured. Richer flavors for a white wine. Concentrated with long finish. Notes of honey, peach, spices.” – Reeves
Sadie Family Palladius South Africa 2007, $49, thesadiefamily.com[10]
10. Chateauneuf du Pape, Beaucastel 2011
“A big, hearty red that goes well with root vegetable stews and grilled meats.” –Holmberg
Chateauneuf du Pape, Beaucastel 2011, $120, beaucastel.com[11]
11. The Night Sky 2011
“A blend of Syrah (60%), Mourvedre (25%) Grenache Noir (15%), the Syrah and Mourvedre come directly from the Fable estate, and the Grenache Noir comes from neighboring Swartland. This red wine is perfumed and elegant, savory and spicy but not too over the top with a wonderful palette weight and finesse.” – Nicholls and Tanner
The Night Sky 2011, Fable Mountain Vineyards, $45, fablewines.com[12]
12. Phillippe Gimel, Saint Jean Du Barroux ‘La Pierre Noire’, Ventoux 2008
“A Rhone blend (Grenache, Syrah), full-bodied, concentrated with ripe dry tannins and a dry, clean finish.” –Reeves
Philippe Gimel, Saint Jean Du Barroux ‘La Pierre Noire’, Ventoux 2008, $42, saintjeandubarroux.fr[13]
13. Barbera, Tre Vigne by Vietti
“A great all-around wine that’s very versatile. It goes well with pasta dishes and meats.” –Holmberg
Barbera Tre Vigne by Vietti, $17, vietti.com[14]
14. 2011 David Family Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir
“A wine to indulge on a cold, rainy, windy evening. My first choice on such a night? A bottle of David Family wine. Luscious berry fruits, forest floor, ripe juicy cherry and cassis.” – Reeves
2011 David Family Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, $70, davidfamily.com[15]
15. 2009 The Vineyard House, Cabernet Sauvignon
“The Vineyard House, is a small unique producer that in Napa Valley that crafts just one perfect Cabernet Sauvignon each year. Blueberry and dark black cherry greet the nose with hints of sage and sweet toasted oak.” – Reeves
2009 The Vineyard House, Cabernet Sauvignon, $225, www.tvhwines.com[16]
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