Many people are frantically searching for the best wines for their holiday celebrations. There are so many options available it can be difficult to decide where to begin. Winter is the time to choose big, bold reds, whether you are putting together wine pairings for dinner or simply entertaining your guests. The better, the richer and more complex the wine.
Clonakilla Shiraz-Viognier 2013
Clonakilla Shiraz: Viognier’s 2013 vintage is still around three years old. But, once you taste it, you will realize that it is a very special wine. This is an excellent example of the bold and big Australian Shiraz.
The red wine is peppery, as Shiraz can be, but Viognier helps to bring out the red fruit and violets. Clonakilla Shiraz – Viognier has a lovely, delicate texture, supple tannins, and nicely balanced acidity. This wine is incredibly complex, especially given its age. This wine can be enjoyed immediately but mature gracefully over the next 15-20 years.
Klinker Brick Old Vine Zinfandel 2013
Old vine Zinfandel is the best when it comes to red wines. Grapes from older vines are often considered more robust than those from the other. One taste of Klinker Brick Oldvine Zinfandel will prove this.
This blend is made from old vine Zinfandel grapes from 16 different areas. The average age of these vines was 85 years. This gives the grapes a concentrated berry flavour balanced out by earthy and peppery characteristics. This wine is great with succulent racks of ribs or even a simple cheeseburger. However, it can also be enjoyed alongside a warm fire and good conversation.
Koehler Grenache 2013
For those looking for bold, big flavours, grapes like Zinfandel and Shiraz are good choices. Grenache is a worthy choice.
Colin Murphy, a California winemaker, has created a great Koehler Grenache. It is full of dark fruits, cola, incense and black pepper. The wine’s nose and palate are elegant and floral, with a complex structure leading to a long and mysterious finish. It is one of the finest examples of Grenache California has to offer, and it comes in a bottle that costs around $25 per bottle.
Cayuse Bionic Frog Syrah 2013
Even though most people have never heard of it, Walla Walla Valley in Washington State is a sleeper hit of wine. Find out why. You can try the 2013 Cayuse Bionic Frog Syrah. It’s all you need to be a convert.
This Syrah is a sweet, savoury version of Syrah. It has all the qualities you would expect from a fire pit. The wine is tight and framed by tightly-knit tannins. It opens up after the wine has spent about half an hour in a decanter. After a while, Cayuse Bionic frog Syrah will release huge flavours of violets and black olive. This makes it one of the most interesting Syrahs to be produced in Washington.
Tablas Creek Mourvedre 2014
Mourvedre, a French grape, is used often for blending. This is mainly because it has such grippy tannins that it can enhance lighter wines with little effort. Tablas Creek Mourvedre’s 2014 vintage will allow you to experience the full potential of this grape, which is one of the boldest wines on the list.
The dark, rich berry flavours complement dried blueberries, black pepper, and a hint of vanilla at the back. This is a great steak pairing, and it’s savoury and reminds me in many ways of charred meat. This bottle is a little more expensive than the other bottles at $40, but it’s worth it.
Craiglee Shiraz 2011
Shiraz is a rare grape.
Craiglee Shiraz 2011, a 2011 vintage, is a wonderful example of balanced Shiraz. The wine is fragrant and can be detected immediately after popping the cork. You’ll find rich red fruits and cracked black pepper inside, as well as fragrant leather. All of this is supported by a great texture and silky tannins. This bottle has a smoother texture than Shiraz and is well worth the admission price.
Folin Cellars Estate Grenache 2014
Folin Cellars’ 2014 Estate Grenache, a 100% varietal wine in Oregon’s Rogue Valley, is shockingly delicious.
This is spicy, assertive, and full of aromas from wild herbs. It’s a grassy Grenache with a 14.4% ABV. This wine is bold and exciting, and it can be purchased for as low as $40. It is an excellent entry-level option for anyone unfamiliar with Oregon wines. The chance to taste 100% Grenache grapes from this region is exceptional.
Xenical Monastrell 2014
Monastrell is one of the most peppery and bold grapes out there. The 2014 vintage of Xenysel Monastrell was a real gem.
This wine is raw, to be honest. It has green characteristics, which give it a slightly sour and cherry-laden taste. This wine is great for holidays because it’s full of fresh herbs and cranberries. It’s a great value at just $12 per bottle, which is typical of the Monastrell grape in many ways.