WASHINGTON — Leftovers the day after Thanksgiving are as much a part of the Thanksgiving holiday tradition as turkey itself. So in the spirit of the day-after, I offer my own version of leftovers: wines that were reviewed online but, due to more pressing news matters, did not make it on to the airwaves.
Just last week, during our annual Thanksgiving Wine Review, we had more wines than time and missed out on featuring a red wine that pairs perfectly with cranberry relish. So if you have any of the red-relish still leftover, consider splurging on the 2013 Paul Hobbs Pinot Noir Russian River from Sonoma, California. This classic Pinot has it all — a nose bursting with aromas of baked raspberries and black fruit. A richly textured mouthfeel offers up plenty of gorgeous red strawberries, ripe raspberry and hints of cinnamon and sage on the weighty finish. Rich and round in the mouth, the fine tannins and fresh acidity provide a long, generous finish. $40
One of the first Wine of the Week segments in 2016 featured wines from Chile. And while it was chilly outside, this wine is sure to keep you warm inside. The 2009 Echeverria Cabernet Sauvignon Limited Edition from the Central Valley of Chile is a red beauty that is rich and powerful in the mouth, delivering structure and flavors found in wines twice the price. It features scents of jammy black fruit and mint in the nose and lush flavors of ripe black cherries, black plums and crème de cassis that coat the tongue upfront. Prominent notes of vanilla and mint complete the elegant finish. Enjoy with grilled lamb. $20
Back when spring was just about to burst upon the scene in D.C., I missed a chance to talk about a California cab that is aged for 23 months in French oak barrels before it’s released. The 2012 Frank Family Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits an amazing bouquet of creamy cassis and aromas of violets and lilacs. Ripe blackberries dominate the front end of the palate and melt into a long, focused finish that concentrate flavors of anise, chocolate and toffee. While the tannins appear to be on the softer side, and can easily be consumed today, this wine has plenty of structure and will age well for several years. But if you must try it now, try it with a veal chop. $50
In the Oct. 7 segment, we celebrated 300 years of Chianti’s history, but ran out of time before we could chat about the ultra-luxurious super-Tuscan wine, the 2011 Cecchi Coevo. The word coevo means “contemporary” in Italian, the perfect name for this elegant and sophisticated wine. It combines the historical winemaking techniques of Chianti Classico with the innovative styles of wine in the New World. The blend in Coevo changes with every vintage, but the 2011 version is a blend of Sangiovese (50 percent) with cabernet sauvignon (20 percent), merlot (20 percent) and Petit Verdot (10 percent). It is a deeply layered wine with bold notes of dark cherry, blackberry and black licorice that are softened and enhanced by spice, leather and tobacco highlights. The finish is beautiful and polished, with just a hint of damp earth and mushroom to provide depth. Drink it now or save it for a few years for maximum payoff. $105
