Wine Picks of The Week: Reds To Wear Wool With

We find the changing of seasons (particularly summer’s Irish exit) utterly inconvenient, but sadly, we have come to learn that it is difficult to argue against the earth tilting on its axis. Apparently there is nothing we can do, save move to California—a place where the earth seems to have come to a screeching halt, suspended in a sun-drenched void. Still, in search of something beyond Corona and chronic summer, we have come to find reasons to rejoice in those requisite wool wearing and bone-chilling winter evenings: the propensity to consume more animal fat, for one, the glorious ubiquity of squash, and, most notably, the craving (or tolerance) for wines that could power a cruise ship.

Five winter reds that are bound to bring your body temp up:

Ca del Merlo 1998, Quintarelli – Guaranteed swoon from the master of the Veneto region. One of Italy’s greatest artisans presents this full-bodied wine, vinified via the Ripasso method (i.e. grapes are passed through the skins and/or pulp of the dried grapes destined for his Amarone, adding depth and richness). Singular, perspective changing wine that, at this price, is highway robbery (on your part, not theirs). Where to Drink: Barbuto, Maialino, Frankie’s 17 Where to Buy: Astor Wines, Uva Wines Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, Domaine de Trevallon – A Vin de Pays from Provence, this “illegal” combination has become a cult favorite in France. Great smoke and dark red fruit—made for meat, butter, and bedroom. Where to Drink: Gramercy Tavern, Where to Buy: Uva Wines, Hudson Wine Merchants Ribera del Duero 2006, Hacienda Monasterio – Welcome to the only way many of us can get anywhere near anything Peter Sisseck touches. The famed producer of Spain’s grossly expensive and impossible to obtain, Pingus, makes this burly and concentrated Bordeaux-style blend. Where to Drink: La Fonda del Sol, The Standard Grill Where to Buy: Le Du’s Wines, Garnet Wines Vin de Pays l’Herault 2005, Mas de Daumas Gassac – Often dubbed the Lafite of the Languedoc, Mas de Daumas and its curmudgeon of a winemaker have already been immortalized in many a book and film for the transcendent nature of these dense, exotic, farmhouse wines. Decant to get past its fittingly stubborn first impression. Where to Drink: Trestle On Tenth, The Modern, Bussaco Where to Buy: Le Du’s Wines, Garnet Wines Gigondas VV 2006, Tardieu-Laurent – Michel Tardieu is especially proud of his ‘06 old-vine Gigo. Comprised of 75% Grenache (average age of vines: 80 years), 25% Syrah (avg. vine age: 20 yrs.), and a sprinkling of both Mourvedre and Cinsault, this is hardly subtle. His wines always border on gargantuan, but they have enough acidity to keep them connected to earth. Pair with land-dwelling animals. Where to Drink: Oceana, Elizabeth Where to Buy: Sokolin, Saratoga Wine Exchange

Tagged as: quintarelli, red wine, rich wines, southern french wine, wine recommendations