Above all, excellent wine over the holidays adds a little zing to the season. But each person’s choice of excellent holiday wine is a unique decision. Therefore, our list of special red wines that we enjoyed during 2020 is unique to us. However, you might really like some of them!
Of note, some of these wines are special because of their high quality and therefore, high price point. Equally important, others are special good-value wines enjoyed throughout the year. Notably, during this pandemic, we recommend opening your holiday wine during a festive evening at home or giving them as gifts.
Wines to Grace Your Holidays
Whatever your plans might be, we suggest that beautiful wine graces your season. On our list, you’ll find Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Pinot Noir and red blends from Washington, Oregon, California, South Africa and Chile. There are many of them because we love red wine!
Of course, we have our perennial favorites: Alexandria Nicole Cellars, Andrew Will, Avennia, Barrage Cellars, Boudreaux Cellars, DeLille Cellars, Hard Row to Hoe, Saviah Cellars, Two Vintners and more.
But many newcomers (to us) also joined the list this year: Liminal Wine, Alloro Vineyard, Utopia, Ventisquero, Jonata Estate, Raats Family Wines, Bodega Chacra, Lenné Estate and Lula Cellars, to name a few. Also new in 2020 is Block Wines, a project between Full Pull Wines and Morgan Lee, of Two Vintners and Covington Cellars.
Our Special Reds (in alphabetical order):
- Alexandria Nicole Cellars Destiny 2013
- Alloro Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017
- Avennia Cabernet Franc 2017
- Barrage Cellars Stone & Vine Syrah 2014
- Block Wines In the Hall of the Mountain Queen Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
- Block Wines Ankleroller Block Stoney Vine Vineyard Syrah 2018
- Bodega Chacra Barda Pinot Noir 2015
- Boudreaux Cellars Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
- DeLille Cellars Four Flags Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
- L’Ecole 41 Apogee 2016
- Hard Row to Hoe Cabernet Franc 2013
- Jonata Estate El Alma de Jonata “The Soul” Cabernet Franc 2013
- Lenné Estate 2017 South Slope Pinot Noir
- Liminal Wine High Canyon Red Mountain Syrah 2018
- Long Shadows Pirouette 2015
- Lula Cellars 2018 Peterson Vineyard Pinot Noir
- Quilceda Creek Galitzine Vineyard Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
- Raats Family Wines Cabernet Franc 2012
- Reynvaan In the Rocks Syrah 2013
- Reynvaan The Contender Syrah 2010
- Saviah Cellars The Funk Estate Syrah 2016
- Saviah Cellars Cabernet Franc 2016
- Two Vintners Some Days Are Stones Syrah 2015
- Two Vintners Lola 2017
- Utopia Estate Reserve Pinot Noir Paradise 2017
- Va Piano Vineyards Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
- Ventisquero Grey {Glacier] Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
- Ventisquero Grey {Glacier] Pinot Noir 2017
- Woodward Canyon Charbonneau 2014
Correspondingly, many of these wines have more recent vintages available, and some wineries have holiday specials on prices and shipping. With this in mind, have a look at the winery websites, and then please support your local wineries.
Bonus
We also recommend these whites for the holidays!
- Chateau Climens Asphodèle 2019
- DeLille Cellars Chaleur Blanc 2019
- Donnachiara Aletheia Greco di Tufo 2018
- Jules Taylor Sauvignon Blanc OTQ 2018
Summary
In conclusion, we hope you stay safe, stay home, and enjoy the season.
Cheers – and happy holidays!
Margot and Dave