Thanksgiving Weekend at Baker's Mill

I'm charged with providing the wine for my family get-togethers. This was our first Thanksgiving at my parents' mill house, so I wanted to bring a mix of fun wines that I thought people would like. A lot of them aren't serious wine drinkers, but I'm continually impressed with their palates and how they discern between different regions, styles and grapes. Perhaps not the most thrilling selection, but everyone had a great time, and at these occassions, the most important thing is to keep the wine flowing. Cheers!

• 1996 Château Laquirou Coteaux du Languedoc Clos des Ausines

  France, Languedoc Roussillon, Languedoc, Coteaux du Languedoc

  (11/21/2012)

  Still got some bright purple color, but with brick red rims. Aromas of wet leaves, prunes, sawdust and green olive. The palate is medium-bodied with low acid. The tannins have waned, as have the fruit flavors. What's left is some rotting plum, wet leaves and olive tapenade. Not quite undrinkable, but close. Actually, yeah, it's undrinkable.

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• 2008 Lioco Chardonnay Demuth Vineyard 94 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

  (11/24/2012)

  I picked this up after swooning for the 2007. Based on some of the tasting notes, I was worried it wouldn't show well. But the 2008 is simply stunning. Aromas of seashell, intensely-focused minerals, honeysuckle, slate, whipped honey and lime. Waves and waves of aromas. Fresh acid on the palate, with a beautiful mouthfeel, so silky. This wine combines the richness of apricot and honey with the freshness of a Granny smith apple. The minerality in this wine is simply stunning. I remember the 2007 having that same mineral intensity, and I’m absolutely in love with it. Hints of quinine and rosemary add legit complexity. This is easily the best California chardonnay I’ve had in a very long time, and it cements my idea that Lioco’s Demuth Vineyard chardonnay is one of my favorite California chardonnays, period. It’s simply stunning, and I love it with the passion that I love many Grand Cru Chablis wines. It’s up there on that level of quality. No oak on this wine, and it doesn't need it.

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• 2005 Domaine Gerard Metz Riesling 87 Points

  France, Alsace

  (11/22/2012)

  My second time with this wine, and it continues to show well for the price. Aromas of lemon oil, lime, papaya and nougat. The palate shows a solid dose of acid and minerals, fleshed out by flavors of lychee, grapefruit and white peach. I also picked up a flavor that reminded me of apple Jolly Rancher candies. Great acid and minerals, but some of that Alsace richness. My mother and father loved sipping this with some appetizers on the evening before our big Thanksgiving meal.

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• 2005 Spring Vale Gewürztraminer 90 Points

  Australia, Tasmania, Freycinet Coast

  (11/22/2012)

  After enjoying a 2005 pinot from Spring Vale, I popped a gewurz over Thanksgiving weekend. Wow, what an exciting wine. Aromas of white flowers, lime and mango. It's tropical, but also very focused. Huge minerals on the palate, along with a hefty shot of acid. It's almost Mosel riesling-esque on the attack, which, of course, I love. Melon, tangerine and apricot flavors glide over the palate, accented with notes of nutshell and white pepper. It's ripe, but almost cool climate in its approach. Superb stuff that will age another five years easily. It appears the "drinking window" on this ended in 2008, but I don't know what those people are talking about, because this is full of life.

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• NV Roederer Estate Brut Anderson Valley 90 Points

  USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley

  (11/23/2012)

  Roederer Estate's Brut Anderson Valley is consistently one of the best non-vintage sparklers for the price, period. It's legit stuff for $20! Clean melon, floral aromas. Superb acid on the palate, crisp minerals, nice biscuity flavors, along with apples, melon and lime. Such good stuff!

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• 2005 Naked Mountain Chardonnay Barrel Fermented 86 Points

  USA, Virginia, Northern Virginia

  (11/23/2012)

  I had never tried a wine from Naked Mountain, and I wasn't expecting much at all. That said, I was impressed with this wine. Aromas of baked pears and apples, some buttered popcorn and lemon cake. The palate shows bruised apples, pear and guava fruit, along with buttered popcorn and cinammon flavors. Medium acid saves this from being overwhelming. Not a stunning wine, but it outdoes a lot of California chardonnays at twice the price. (I picked this up for $15).

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• 2011 Castello delle Regine Umbria Bianco Delle Regine 75 Points

  Italy, Umbria

  (11/23/2012)

  There's nothing inherently wrong with this wine, it's just simple and uncomplicated and a bit boring. Light lemon mixed with tropical aromas and flavores. Fresh on the palate, and a good aperetif wine, but nothing to take very seriously.

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• 2009 Morgadío Albariño Rías Baixas Legado del Conde 82 Points

  Spain, Galicia, Rías Baixas

  (11/23/2012)

  Overall, a nice albarino, but lacking in a bit of personality, and acid. Flavors of lemon and apple juice. Fun but lacking complexity.

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• NV Buller Premium Fine Muscat 91 Points

  Australia, Victoria

  (11/23/2012)

  After hanging out around a bonfire, we came inside and I popped this for my dad, mom, cousin and I. Really, this is consistently one of the best Aussie stickies for the price. That said, it's a very distinct style, big and bold and fruity. But it's complexity can't be denied. Aromas of raisins, figs, walnut cake, apricot and caramel... all the good desserts. On the palate, the wine is thick and sweet, and feels very similar to a Pedro Ximenez Sherry. However, even though it's sweet and high in alcohol, I don't find it too goopy or spiked. There's this flavor of candied walnuts and glazed figs, and it's absurdly delicious. This was a huge hit with the fam.

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