Achaval Ferrer Quimera Mendoza 2009 Red Wine

Achaval Ferrer Quimera Mendoza 2009 Red Wine, $39.09-$45.99, 93+ points, is one of the blackest wines I've seen; right up to the glass wall where it transitions purple/red before the transparent rim.
Great bouquet made-up of soft earth notes, fall leaves, black cherry cordial, sweet cooking spice, and Japanese plum wine were beautiful.
Juicy black and blue fruit plus strong coffee and toffee notes carried along with a near full body of layered tannin and good acidity which were matched only by its silky texture, managed magnificence.
Finished on the trailing palate with spice notes and the 14% alcohol.
Achaval Ferrer Quimera Mendoza provides a great back label with almost all the details one could want!

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Ridge Lytton Springs 2011 Zinfandel

Ridge Lytton Springs 2011 Zinfandel, $30.26-$36.99, 92+ points, appeared black at the core trending shiraz purple/red toward a broad transparent rim.
Cedar, clove, wild blackberry, and alcohol (14.4%) on the nose wasn't as impressive as some other Ridge Zinfandels I've had, but still quite vibrant and more aromatic than most.
However, the velvet texture was impressive, smooth and near full bodied without being heavy, and having good acidity and persistent, yet fine tannin.
Sadly, this sophisticated red wine was marked by a slight glycerin (sweet syrup) note which was a bit distracting for me, but overall the juicy black fruit was lush and delicious.
Finished very long on hot spice and a touch of heat.
Still a high Q/P/R red wine.

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Shafer Wines have won my heart, from Thanksgiving to Christmas wine recommendations.

How does this love affair with Shafer wines fit my Thanksgiving dinner recommendations? Well, I promised a Chardonnay recommendation, and after tasting the Merry Edwards 2010 Chardonnay and the Shafer 2008 Chardonnay, plus having the Shafer 2009 vintage conveniently in my cellar for the last two years, based on my past experience with the Shafer Chardonnay, this 2009 is my choice for the Thanksgiving dinner; I'll be sure to post a review.

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Thanksgiving In New Hampshire-- Best Pinot Noir Wines Tasted For 2013

Roaring Meg Central Otago New Zealand 2011 Pinot Noir, $11.74-$19.99*, 90 points,

 is my choice for best Quality/Price/Ratio Pinot Noir for 2013.

Best Pinot Noir Wines Tasted For Thanksgiving In New Hampshire was going to include one best value wine, and one "best of show" to impress, but I'm changing that by adding the category of best regional (AVA) Pinot Noir wines.

 

Willamette Valley Oregon-Best Pinot Noir Wine Region for 2013 Thanksgiving Dinner.

 

Best Of Show Pinot Noir for the 2013 Thanksgiving Dinner in New Hampshire!

Flowers Sea View Ridge Sonoma Coast 2010 Pinot Noir, $58.64-$68.99, 95 points

It is important to understand that my choices were something like 60% subjective and because Burgundy (French) Pinot Noir wines were too expensive as a whole, and some others were just too hard to find, i.e. Anton Bauer Wagram/Österreich (Austrian) 2008 Pinot Noir which was high on my list, in some sense disqualified them from my highest ranking.

As for my choice of Riesling, I have to cop-out, because Riesling is one of those consistently good and inexpensive wines, whether from California, Finger Lakes, or Columbia Valley, but just maybe EROICA Riesling was the best!
Chardonnay? See my next post which will lead me into Christmas wine tasting!



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Firestone Central Coast 2011 Riesling

 

Firestone Central Coast 2011 Riesling, $8.41-$12.95, 90 points, appeared faded straw yellow.
Honeysuckle, pine needles, and spearmint on the nose was quite different.
Having a dry light-plus body that carried hibiscus and a faithful aroma was refreshing and unique.
Finished with a blast of robust ginger and the 13.1% alcohol.
Firestone white wines continue to impress!

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Wente Riverbank Arroyo Seco Monterey 2011 Riesling

Wente Riverbank Arroyo Seco Monterey 2011 Riesling, $8.41-$13.99, 89 points, began as a light burnished brass color trending gray at the glass rim.
Flowers and pine resin on the nose were aromatic, and with slight hints of petrol and honey filled-out the bouquet.
The off-dry near medium body carried good acidity, intense melon, and cumquat flavors with a hint of the 12.5% alcohol.
Finished on a fading palate with hints of peach, citrus, and ginger.

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Weingut Wwe. Dr.Thanisch, Erben Thanisch Bernkasteler Kues 2011 Mosel Riesling

Weingut Wwe. Dr. (Lore) Thanisch (Winery), Erben Thanisch Bernkasteler (Town of) Kues (Village of) 2011 Mosel (Wine region) Riesling (Wine Varietal) (A bit of Satire here;-), $19.54-$22.99, 90 points, appeared a light brass color trending gray at the glass wall.
The aroma was dominated by petrol notes that were not bothersome, but were moderated with smells of green grapes and tart apple.
Strongly acidic with a near medium body that carried more than an acceptable petrol flavor with juicy, almost sweet, cumquat, tangerine, and white grape notes.
Finished long on a sweet note trailing palate with ginger.




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