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What I’m Drinking Now: New Years Resolutions

By Hayley Hamilton Cogill |
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colginWith the New Year I resolve to drink more wine…no surprise there, since it is such a passion.  But in 2010 a twist will be to find those special wines, those out of the ordinary wines, or finally open some of the wine that I have been holding for a while.  A new decade is a cause to celebrate, and  life is far too short not to drink great wine. 
There are a few in particular I have already tasted that were excellent examples of why I love wine.  Some of these options were sent for publication consideration, some were recently pulled from my cellar.  All were tasty.

1996 Dom Perignon– With great surprise this impressive Champagne was brought to us for our New Years toast.  I don’t often go for Dom, since the price point is steep and there are so many offerings on the market.  However, this vintage Dom was a delightful and welcome surprise.  Toast and nut on the nose and palate, with thousands of those tiny bubbles we love; proff this is going to be a very happy new year.

Domaine Serene Etoile– Creamy Chardonnay filled with toasted marshmallow, caramel and citrus flavors from  one of Willamette Valley’s best.  Though known for their stellar Pinot Noirs, this Chardonnay combines both the clean, crisp and light elegance of the grape with nutty, vanilla goodness from 11 months of aging sur lees (on the yeasts).   

2007 Sea Smoke 10 Pinot Noir– Sea Smoke is one of the best Pinot producers in California, and the “10” is a perfect example of why.  From the Sea Smoke Estate Vineyard in the Santa Rita Hills, and aged for 16 months in new French oak this is a dense Pinot Noir with dark cherry and cola flavors, with floral hints of lavender.  

2006 Novy Santa Lucia Highlands Syrah– Smoky, bacon fat filled Syrah from a small production California winery with solid Texas roots.  We tried this the other night with tamales and chili…fantastic. 

Huarpe Guayquil– I tried this for the first time three years ago in Mendoza, Argentina withthe winemaker and was blown away.  With a name that means “the chosen one,” Guayquil is a blend of Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot, Bonarda and Tannat.  Bold, intense, hearty and complex, and completely Argentine. 

 1992 Colgin Herb Lamb Cabernet Sauvignon– Don and Ellen Winspear treated us to this succulent wine over dinner the other night.  Complex and intense with structure and finesse, with juicy berry flavors wrapped with leather and cedar.   As tasty of a pairing with grilled turbot, as it was with roasted duck.

 2007 Will Jarvis’ Science Project – Based on a science project conducted by the son of Jarvis winery owner’s William and Leticia Jarvis over 14 years ago when he was in 8th grade.  At that time he carefully chose the grapes, blending with precision and aging in a small two-gallon barrel at the foot of his boarding school dorm bed.  The wine was so exceptional that they have reinvented it with the 2007 release using Jarvis Estate Cabernet Franc and Merlot grapes, aging in small barrels in the Jarvis wine cave and producing a mere 391 cases.  Smooth, elegant and balanced, this is a wine to enjoy now, or to be held for a while.

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