What’s In Your Glass? We Share Our Recent Wine Picks

WIYG? That’s a question we are often asked. Here’s a look at what we’re sipping.

Piccione 2014 Montepulciano, Swan Creek

This Montepulciano isn’t from the vineyards of Abruzzo, Italy, but from North Carolina. Piccione is a boutique winery that specializes in Italian grape varieties. During the COVID-19 lockdown, we participated in Open That Bottle of North Carolina Wine Night to salute the great wines from the Old North State and encourage you to “drink local.” This deeply colored wine has sturdy tannins and swirls of plum, black cherry and chocolate. An all-round winner at an SRP of $25.

Youngberg Hill 2015 Natasha Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley

Youngberg Hill’s Natasha vineyard block is named after the oldest daughter of the winemaker. We opened this during our last road trip before the pandemic hit – and had the chance to share it with our good friends the Cabernetor and Glorious T. This is Willamette Valley Pinot at its finest – luscious raspberry and black cherry combine with a riffle of spice in a savory and smooth wine. SRP of $50.

Mark Herold Wines 2008 Acha Red, California

This is a wine that I stumbled across in the cellar and said, “Hmm, didn’t realize I still had this!” I bought three bottles a number of years ago and drank one in 2014 and the last one six years later. What a difference a few years can make. This is a Tempranillo blend and back in 2014 the tannins were hard as nails and rugged. The last bottle had tannins that melted beautifully into an expressive wine rife with cherry, cedar and oak. It was luxurious on the palate and worth the wait. I paid $30 per bottle.

Boundary Breaks 2018 Riesling Dry #239, Finger Lakes

We picked this bottle up during our first visit to Boundary Breaks, a Finger Lakes winery winning national acclaim for its Riesling. The “239” refers to the clone number. This wine, uncorked during a virtual dinner party, has balanced fruit and acidity. There’s plenty of finesse with delightful lime notes and minerality. Residual sugar is just a whisper at 0.7%. SRP is $22.95.

Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour 2016 Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

Our friend the Cabernetor didn’t earn his nickname by chance. He loves his big, bold Napa Cabs.  This bottle was uncorked for his landmark birthday dinner. It’s an expressive and impressive wine. The fruit comes from the famed Rutherford AVA in Napa and the resulting wine is rich and full-bodied. It’s a juicy wine bursting with blueberries and blackberries with a thin edge of spice. Graceful vanilla and toast notes highlight the long finish. A true jewel from Napa Valley! SRP is $145.