Six Red Wines for Thanksgiving
I have recommended this holiday’s wines since the mid-1970s. Although I have gotten excellent responses through the years, I endured a few misses early in my career. On my first holidays, I was excited to share my newly found “hobby” with our customers. In those days, few Asians were considered good enough to recommend wines. I had already enjoyed support from wine-interested shoppers. Still, I was afraid of becoming too geeky and forgot that normal shoppers who weren’t wine-savvy just wanted something for Thanksgiving that family and friends would like. One of my favorite wines, a dry Chenin Blanc, was a dismal failure. Later, I learned that the family hated that choice for the “big dinner.”
What did I learn? Hen recommends wines for an occasion; consider the guests and what they enjoy drinking. I have enjoyed a fine career, and after that mistake, I put the occasion ahead of my journey. For Thanksgiving 2024, I recommend the following six red wines.
Turkey on the loose. (April 16, 2013, Concord, CA)
Screen Door Cellars Russian River Valley 2022. (Tasted: September 27, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
Screen Door Cellars Russian River Pinot Noir 2022. Tasted: September 27, 2024, San Francisco, CA. (My Score: 92 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $30.
Pinot Noir and Turkey are my tried-and-true choices for this big meal. They are smooth and delectable, with a smidgeon of tannins. This wine shows excellent purity and elegance. It offers aromas and flavors of lively red fruits, bright Bing cherries, and hints of black pepper.
Caymus-Suisun Suisun Valley The Walking Fool 2022. A user-friendly wine, this blend of Petite Sirah should go over big as your guests enjoy the evening. This wine is smooth, refined, and ready to pair with food. This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of graphite notes, early summer blackberries, and fragrant spices. Tasted: August 7, 2024, San Francisco, CA. (My Score: 90 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $40.
La Lecciaia Rosso di Montalcino 2019. Give your guests a chance to explore Tuscan with this wine. This wine is packed and lasting on the palate. This wine offers aromas and flavors of hints of sandalwood, dried blackberries, and licorice. Tasted: August 7, 2024, San Francisco, CA. (My Score: 91 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $17.
· Domaine Gaget Morgon Côte de Py Morgon 2022. Morgon is one of the richest of the 10 “Cru Beaujolais. This wine is packed and lasting on the palate. This wine offers aromas and flavors of hints of sandalwood, dried blackberries, and licorice. Tasted: March 15, 2023, San Francisco, CA. (My Score: 93 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $21.
· Frédéric Esmonin Bourgogne Côtes de Beaune 2023. From one of my favorite Burgundy producers, this wine is balanced and stylish. This wine offers aromas and flavors of aromatic spices, early summer blackberries, and rocks-in-the-desert. Tasted: October 8, 2024, San Francisco, CA. (My Score: 90 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $25.
Philippe le Hardi Mercurey 1er Cru Les Puillets 2022. Mercurey is one of Burgundy's secrets. It is generally soft-spoken and delicious. This wine shows aromas and flavors of savory spices, chalk, wild strawberries, oak, and black fruits with a lasting finish. My Score: 91 Points) Suggested Retail Price: $38.
Thanksgiving Day should be fun for family and friends. Check out if you are serving red wines on Turkey Day, November 28th. Let me know what you think. Email me at wilfred.willie.wong@gmil.com.
Cheers!
Dry Creek Vineyard Fumé Blanc, Sonoma County 2022
