The Gift of Wine

From a dynamite vintage this is the delicious off-dry Riesling offspring born of a partnership between two prominent Riesling estates, Chateau Ste. Michelle in Washington and Germany's Dr. Loosen from the famed Mosel wine growing region. Guaranteed to be a palate pleaser from start to finish, the Eroica Riesling brings beautiful balance, unmatched elegance and food-friendly acidity to every sip.

The 2006 Cambria Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir is a wine to keep in mind as you start your search for Thanksgiving day wines. This is a ripe, supple Pinot Noir with solid cherry, cranberry and strawberry flavors. A food-friendly red wine that would certainly support the herb-based flavors of the traditional Thanksgiving meal, due in large part to the wine's earthy character, elegant balance and fine finish wrapped in vanilla and warm cinnamon spice.

The Jaboulet Cotes du Rhone "Parallele 45" (buy direct) is a consistent Grenache-Syrah based blend year in and year out. The 2006 vintage has plenty of palate appeal, with cherry and blackberry dominating the fruit profile and an attractive smoke and earth contingent supporting the fruit. You can expect beautiful balance, subtle, silky tannins and a nice smooth finish. This is a very welcoming medium-bodied red wine that will play well with the likes of pork, poultry, pizza and pasta with hearty meat-based toppings.

This is a fantastic Cab from Sonoma County's acclaimed Alexander Valley, with rich, ripe red fruit debuting on the nose and black cherry, plum and a generous dusting of cocoa making its way across the palate. A dense, chewy Cab with stunning structure and well-placed tannin integration, the Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon offers up a concentrated red wine brimming with dark, layered fruit, depth and intriguing complexity.

The Lucien Albrecht Reserve Riesling hits the quintessential Alsatian Riesling mark with elegance and pure varietal style. The nose is a sensory delight with fragrant floral nuances, highlighted by green apple. The mineral-laced palate profile dives deeper into a lovely display of Granny Smith apple, foreshadowed on the nose, and combines well-balanced acidity and crisp character to showcase an elegant, fuller-bodied white wine experience. Give this Alsatian Riesling a go with seafood, Cajun or Asian fare, sauerkraut and smoked meats.

The 2004 St. Supery Cabernet Sauvignon does a masterful job of showcasing what Napa Valley Cabs are all about. You'll find dark cherry and blackberry aromas on the nose, wrapped in whispy veils of vanilla spice. The palate profile maintains the ripe cherry drive along with a bit of coffee and a touch of tobacco, all melding together to produce high flavor appeal. This Cab offers a gutsy boldness, balanced tannins and a refined finish that persists - truly a captivating wine from start to finish. If you are looking for a great red wine partner for steak or game, this is your wine, and yet it's fully capable of being enjoyed solo.

Frescobaldi's CastelGiocondo's Brunello is a stunning example of what Tuscany's Montalcino region is known and loved for. This Brunello has enjoyed basking in oak for 3 years and affords consumers a wine with excellent aging potential. First glance reveals a deep ruby color in the glass, and the nose carries robust ripe fruit - largely cherry and blackberry amidst a slightly floral hedge. The palate profile yields a medium-bodied red wine with dense fruit character bordered by a spicy edge, a well-honed tannin structure and a rich mocha finish. If you are a cheese lover, give this one a whirl with an Asiago or Parmesan cheese, if you are a meat lover opt for full-flavored fare like venison, pheasant, duck or lamb.

Chateau St. Jean’s Cinq Cépages (meaning “five varieties”) is a beautiful Bordeaux inspired blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Chateau St. Jean's winemaking team has created a Cab that is ultra-approachable, offering a dynamic marriage of power and elegance. The distinguished aromas of raspberry, blackberry and fresh chocolate shavings make up the first impressions on the nose. The palate profile offers up a second chorus of blackberries, rich plum, and minor notes of blueberry bordered by well-assimilated tannins and a bit of espresso on the long-lived finish. You can add an ultra-classy touch to the "gift" aspect of this wine, by having the wooden wine box personalized through Chateau St. Jean.