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10 summer-friendly wine offerings to add to your collection

Darren Paltrowitz
Darren Paltrowitz

Guilty Eats

HOPLAND, CA - 1995: Two bottles of Fetzer Vineyard's first release of Bonterra Vineyards organically grown wine are displayed against a backdrop of the Fetzer Food & Wine Center in this 1995 Hopland, California, photo. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

National Wine Day: Summer Wines  (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
National Wine Day: Summer Wines  (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

Looking for some wines to enjoy this summer? Here are some recommendations.

National Wine Day is next coming up on May 25, 2020. In celebration of this fun holiday, millions of people are expected to be celebrating with a glass (or more) of their favorite vino.

Killing three birds with one stone, not only is National Wine Day coming up, but so are Father’s Day and the summer 2020 season. In turn, plenty of celebrating ought to be ahead for you and yours.

Below and on the following pages are 10 wine offerings worth purchasing sometime in the coming months.

Bonterra Organic Vineyards’ 2019 Rosé

Last month saw the release of Bonterra’s new 2019 Rosé, which ships nationwide and has a suggested retail price of $16. A Grenache-based blend, this rosé carries aromas of ruby red grapefruit, red cherry and watermelon, in addition to flavors of pomegranate, red berries and a hint of peach meet the palate.

2016 Charles Krug Family Reserve Generations Red Wine

Originally established in 1861, the Charles Krug Winery was purchased in 1943 by Cesare and Rosa Mondavi. Now close to 80 years later, Charles Krug is owned and operated by Cesare and Rosa’s grandchildren, Peter Jr. and Marc Mondavi.

The 2016 Charles Krug Family Reserve Generations Red Wine was reportedly designed to honor the family’s past, present and future. It has aromas of black cherry, coffee bean, and blueberry with a long finish of ripe berry and toasty crème brûlée. It earned a 94+ rating from the October 2018 edition of Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate. The same vineyard also a popular offering via the Charles Krug 2018 Carneros Chardonnay.

EnRoute’s Les Pommiers 2017, Russian River Valley Pinot Noir

As founded in 2007 by Far Niente, EnRoute is one of the Russian River Valley’s stand-out vineyards for Pinot Noir. This winery’s flagship Pinot Noir is the Les Pommiers offering. Expect a silky and rich texture, with generous ripe cherry and plum flavors. This one has scored a 93-point rating from Wine Spectator.

Hamel Family Wines 2016 Isthmus

From this one you ought to expect a bouquet of sweet dark cherry, plum and kirsch over complex notes of soy, vanilla and spice. The fruit evolves to sweet mulled dark red fruits and blackberry preserve on the palate, as framed by concentrated, sweet tannins and integrated oak. Free shipping is available from the Hamel Family Wines website with the purchase of three or more wines.

(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)
(Photo by George Rose/Getty Images)

More: National Wine Day summer wines

J Vineyards Cuvee 20

This bubbly from J Vineyards in the Russian River Valley opens with nuanced aromas of toasted almond, followed by notes of Braeburn apple, dried cranberry and ginger snap. Carrying flavors of lemon meringue pie, the wine’s creaminess is whisked away by a lively finish. You can pair this versatile sparkling wine with an upscale at-home meal, or something easy like white cheddar popcorn. Beyond the J Vineyards & Winery website, this wine is also available through Wine.com, Drizly and Instacart.

Broadway Basketeers’ Merlot Wine Basket

Broadway Basketeers is known for making gift baskets for all occasions where gift-giving is the norm. Its Merlot Wine Basket in particular is an ideal gift for an indecisive shopper. An impressive array of chocolates, caramels and other candies is complemented with a range of salty snacks within this basket. The grand bundle of treats is paired wonderfully with a bold, dry, kosher-certified red wine that ought to delight the senses as cherry and vanilla roll off the tongue with every sip.

Limerick Lane Winery’s 2018 1910 Block Zinfandel

As known for its highly -ated wines, the heritage of the Limerick Lane Winery goes back to 1910. Jake Bilbro, a fourth-generation winemaker and native of Sonoma, is Limerick Lane’s owner. Under Bilbro’s stewardship, Limerick Lane has received significant acclaim and recognition, also running a “We Care” campaign to give back to partners with wine purchases.

The 2018 1910 Block Zinfandel in particular was limited to 298 cases produced. As produced within the Russian River Valley, it received a 96+ point rating from Jeb Dunnuck.

T.L.T. 2019 Swick Wine

MYSA Natural Wines is a sustainability-minded, direct-to-consumer natural wine importer, subscription and online retailer. While browsing the MYSA site, I discovered the T.L.T. label and its reverse Cote Rotie blend with 80 percent Viognier and 20 percent Syrah. Its light, glou glou style features hints of cranberry, strawberry and sour cherry in the taste beyond some peppery tannins. It is aimed to pair well with seafood and heavier fish.

(Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for SOBEWFF®)
(Photo by Aaron Davidson/Getty Images for SOBEWFF®)

More National Wine Day: 10 summer-friendly wines

Stags’ Leap Winery 2016 The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon

A darkly-intense, multi-layered, rich and approachable wine with depth of fruit, plushness and creamy richness, the Stags’ Leap Winery 2016 The Leap Cabernet Sauvignon offers blackberry, blueberry and macerated strawberry aromas.

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It also features subtle baking spice notes of cinnamon, milk chocolate and coffee, alongside more savory notes of black olive and chaparral herbs. In terms of the the palate itself, this cab includes lifted dark blackberry, blueberry and black raspberry fruits followed by hints of espresso and black pepper spice.

Available for purchase online, the Stags’ Leap Winery is currently offering free weekly live virtual tasting experiences via its Instagram account.

Beaulieu Vineyard 2016 Tapestry Reserve Red Blend, Napa Valley

This red blend brings you five Bordeaux-heritage grape varieties, which altogether contribute multi-layered flavors and complexity. Well-integrated warm baking spice notes of cinnamon and clove ought to pique one’s senses, while the wine itself was aged in new French oak barrels, which ought to heighten its aromatic expression. This is a wine that serves as a great bridge between old and new scenes of Napa Valley.

Gary Farrell 2017 Pinot Noir, Hallberg Vineyard

The Gary Farrell Winery, as based in the Russian River Valley, is one of California’s most accomplished wineries for high-end, small-lot Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays. Its Gary Farrell 2017 Pinot Noir, Hallberg Vineyard, Russian River Valley — priced at $55 per bottle — is a lush Pinot which comes from a premier vineyard in the cool-climate Green Valley sub-appellation of Russian River.

It has both a beautiful intensity and complexity. Also acclaimed from the Gary Farrell team is its 2017 Chardonnay, Olivet Lane Vineyard, with a retail price of $45, which comes from a famed vineyard that was planted with Chardonnay in 1975.

Palmaz Vineyards subscription

The Palmaz family is passionate about producing exceptional products that gather family and friends to the table. To help facilitate such, the family reated a food and wine club so our most dedicated customers can gather together and celebrate at their tables. In turn, through the Palmaz’ website, the ideal pairing of full-bodied red wine and grilled steak is indeed possible with a single purchase as the Palmaz family also operates Genessee Valley Ranch; said ranch produces sustainable,100 percent grass-fed Wagyu beef. Thus, You can also order olive oil and grape juices through the site.

Which of these wines will you be ordering in time for National Wine Day?

Darren Paltrowitz

Darren Paltrowitz

Darren Paltrowitz is a New York resident with over 20 years of entertainment industry experience. He has worked with a wide array of artists including OK Go, They Might Be Giants, Mike Viola, Tracy Bonham, Loudness, Rachael Yamagata, Superdrag and Amanda Palmer. His writing has appeared in dozens of outlets including the New York Daily News, All Music Guide, Guitar World, TheStreet.com, Businessweek, Chicago Tribune, L.A. Times, and the Jewish Journal. He is the host of the bi-weekly "Paltrocast With Darren Paltrowitz" podcast, as co-produced with V13 (formerly PureGrainAudio.com), and the co-author of two published books, 2018's "Pocket Change: Your Happy Money" and 2019's "Good Advice From Professional Wrestling," with a new book in-progress for a 2020 release.