On special occasions one of the best ways to celebrate is to break out that special bottle of wine. What makes a bottle special? For one, it should be a wine that means something to you; whether it was your souvenir from that trip to Napa; or a gift that you received. Some vintage wine you found unexpectedly and have tucked away for the right time to open. Vintage wines are a rarity to open; and need a good amount of time to breath; even poured into a canter to allow the aroma to awaken and come to their full capacity. Here are the best five wines to serve on special occasions and how you can order them.
2007 Whitehall Lane Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
’07 was one of the prime growing seasons in Napa valley. Growers knew that the dry, warm spring was the sign of a prosperous crop. As the summer began the weather maintained to be mild with major spikes to curb the development of the grapes; when August hit the weather hit the 100s which in turn raised the sugar levels. Once fall hit; the weather still remained mild; which allowed the grapes to ripen to new heights. This is the picture perfect season for growing the ultimate crop of wine grapes.
What transpired was an extra ripe grape that fermented at 85 F; aging in a combination of American and French oak barrels for 19 months. The result was a cab that carried aromas of plum, vanilla, and cherries along with toasty oak from the barrels. Once the wine hits your palette you will sense a balance of these flavors along with a soft build and a wonderful lingering finish.
2007 Gundlach Bundschu "Vintage Reserve" Estate Vineyard Red Blend
While the estate was having a short on yields in ’07, there was an incredible harvest of limited wine grapes. This reserve is rich in color and has a black currant spicy finish. What makes this wine so remarkable is the intense color it produces from cassis and black plums; it has firm tannins and a creamy vanilla flavor. This is the kind of wine to set on the shelf and forget about it for 20 years; so buy one for now and save the latter for that anniversary down the road.
2008 La Follette Manchester Ridge Vineyard Mendocino Ridge Chardonnay
Even those who are skeptic of chardonnay will surely find a deep appreciation for this particular bottle. The vintage grapes bask in the sun for a longer period when compared to other grapes; which is the reason the grapes have a nice blend of fruity and acidity flavors. This particular wine has a tropical fruit aroma of guava and pineapple along with the freshness of green apple; it is definitely a layered wine with an incredible smooth finish.
2005 C.G. Di Arie "Southern Exposure" Shenandoah Valley Syrah
This wine was a part of a meticulous selection of the grapes in ’05; and this blend is considered the best of this particular vintage due to the barrels chosen. It is a well-balanced Syrah with a great savory element that carries hints of cherry, smoke, and even smoked bacon. The lingering finish adds a hint of herbs and a spicy character that complements any lamb dish. Wine makers of the vineyard suggest opening the bottle and pouring into a canter to allow the complex aromas and flavors to breathe before drinking.
2008 Papapietro Perry Leras Family Vineyards Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
Only 1,020 cases were produced; with the vineyard located on the Russian Vineyard this harvest was from 13 year old clones. The color of the wine resembles a ruby gem; it is rich with cherry and earthy flavors due to the grapes getting their water source from the mineral rich river. It has a nice balance of oak and tannins; along with a slight hint of herbal tea. Once you open the bottle you may not put it down.
The particular time to open a great bottle of wine is one that permits those around you to share the passion for an incredible wine experience. These five bottles of wine will embark each drinker to sit back and savor life a little slower.
