If you’re a wine-loving dad, you know your palate best. Or if you’re buying a gift for a wine-loving dad, you likely know their palate better than anyone. But in advance of Father’s Day, I’ve selected a wide range of wines that I think dads can nerd out about, enjoy, and pair with whatever you’re up to.
I’m a huge fan of Austrian Rieslings and Gruners, and I really enjoyed geeking out over a quartet of wines from Domane Wachau. They’re all iconic single-vineyard wines from 2021, made by an historic producer that purely express their grape and terroir. And, especially given the quality, they’re priced incredibly well – what dad doesn’t like saving money? Picking up a mixed six-pack of single-vineyards could give you a great tasting lineup for a party with some summer seafood or grilled chicken and veg.
Also included are some delicious reds for grill-outs and gatherings, and I highlight some serious values. From a fascinating producer in New Mexico, Vara, who blends Spanish and California grapes, to delightful values from Chile and Argentina, there should be something in here you’ll enjoy.
Lastly, I want to highlight some Sonoma Pinots (and a Chard) because, well, they’re just great. I visited Sonoma in April with my brother and his family, and we dads had a great time cooking with local ingredients and tasting local wines. And when I’m cooking (which is usually the case in my house), and I’m opening Sonoma Pinot – everyone is happy.
These wines were received as trade samples and tasted sighted, except for the Wachau white wines, which were tasted single-blind.
Wachau White Wines
2021 Domäne
Wachau Grüner Veltliner Federspiel Ried Liebenberg - Austria,
Niederösterreich, Wachau
SRP: $27
Vibrant yellow
color. The aromas are spritely with lemon, green apples, guava, topped with rushing
notes of limestone, oyster shells, and nuances of celery seed, mint, it all
gets the palate salivating. There’s a lovely creaminess to the mouthfeel on
this wine, but the acidity is so crisp, with delicious crunchy fruit, limes,
lemon, green apples. A razor-like focus, with rushing mineral intensity, talc,
crushed stones, along with spicy herbal elements that accentuate the overall
package. This is a beautiful young Gruner at a great price, and if you’re
looking to get deeper into this grape or region, this is a perfect place to
start. (91 points IJB)
2021 Domäne
Wachau Grüner Veltliner Smaragd Ried Kellerberg - Austria,
Niederösterreich, Wachau
SRP: $50
Rich yellow
color. So many stony, mineral, oyster shell vibes here (love it), with generous
but zesty pineapple and lemon, and there are all these cool tones that come out
with air: green onion, bread crumbs, hints of basil, yellow flowers – just a
lot going on. Racy acidity frames the wine well, as a generous texture and
beautiful fruit play their game (guava, papaya, drizzled in lime). I get a
complex host of crushed shells, chalk dust, flinty, mineral, stony elements.
And there are these white tea, mint, shaved ginger nuances as well. Beautiful
stuff and a long-ager for sure, as everything is deep but balanced. (93+ points IJB)
2021 Domäne
Wachau Riesling Federspiel Ried Bruck - Austria,
Niederösterreich, Wachau
SRP: $27
Medium yellow
color. The nose pops with sweet guava, fresh green apples, and limes, along
with crushed rocks, shells, a sweet honeyed tone but the wine still smells so
fresh and inviting. The palate has bright acidity and a bed of sweet yellow
apple, white peach, and kiwi fruit. Balanced and fresh with a nice mix of
crushed sweet tarts, chalk dust, limestone, mountain riverbed with stones and
all that good stuff. Crushable and delicious right now, but has a lot to think about
and parse through as well. From a very steep site, this is a precise expression
with a lot to love. (90 points IJB)
2021 Domäne
Wachau Riesling Smaragd Ried Achleiten - Austria,
Niederösterreich, Wachau
SRP: $51
Medium yellow
color. A bright and inviting nose that shows a bouncy mix of yellow apples,
kiwi, quince, along with fresh tennis balls, mountain stream down slate rocks, crushed
schist, with these honey and almond skin tones (seriously, a lot of cool stuff
happening here). Pure sums it up nicely on the palate, as this just has a
vibrant, clean, focused appeal, with flavors of limes, papayas, crunchy green
apples. Complex elements of honey, clover, stony minerals, and flint add
complexity and they tingle the tongue on the finish. This has a long life ahead
of it – what a beaut! (93 points IJB)
Sonoma Pinots and Chards
2020
Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast - USA,
California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
SRP: $61
Light ruby
color. Beautiful aromas of fresh strawberries, red cherries, crunchy red apple
peel, along with fallen leaves, tobacco, autumnal vibes, dusty and peppery vibes
– love it. The palate shows vibrancy with dusty tannins and a balanced feel, with
strawberries, raspberries, juicy summer plums, with pepper and cranberry
relish. An elegant feel with nuances of earth, spice, clove, fresh garden soil.
I’d love to see what this does in a few years or with a roast duck dish. Aged
11 months in 1/3 new French oak. (92 points IJB)
2020
Papapietro Perry Pinot Noir Russian River Valley - USA,
California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $61
Medium ruby
color. Aromas of jammy raspberries and strawberries, with an inviting floral,
earthy, herbal tones (dried roses, tilled soil, rosemary, fresh basil), a deep
but bright aromatic display. The palate expresses such freshness and vibrancy,
with dusty/moderate tannins and bright acidity, along with tart red and black
cherries, with raspberries and pomegranate. Notes of floral perfume, clove,
tobacco, rhubarb and white pepper add complexity, and I get these lovely earth
and leather tones, too. Deep but focused and lively, expressive now but will
show wonders in a few years. So much good RRV Pinot for the price. Aged 11
months in 1/3 new French oak. (92 points IJB)
2021 Gary
Farrell Pinot Noir Russian River Selection - USA,
California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $45
Deep ruby
color. Such a warm, enticing aromatic display of bright raspberries and deep,
mulled black cherries, along with nuances of rhubarb and cola, hints of roses,
violets, white pepper, warm clay. The palate has this crisp, crushable feel,
but supple tannins and the deep fruit and complexity offer a lot to parse
through and enjoy. Lively acidity plays off of nuances of earth, dried rose
petals, paprika and pepper, warm clay. Classic Sonoma Pinot goodness, this is
smooth and deep and hits the spot, per usual from Gary Farrell. Will age nicely
and show a lot more in a few years. Aged 13 months in 40% new French oak. (92
points IJB)
2021 Gary
Farrell Chardonnay Russian River Selection - USA,
California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
SRP: $35
Bright but deep
yellow color. The nose bursts with orange peel and fresh lemons, yellow pears,
mixed with honeycomb, almond skin, and notes of talc and crushed shells. The palate
sports a beautiful creaminess – contrast that with racy, chalky acidity and a
salty, pure, focused appeal. The fruit is generous, with chunks of pineapple
and yellow apples, but it stays lively and lip-smacking. Notes of sea spray,
honey, chalk dust, almond, they play so well together. Gary Farrell really knows
how to translate the richness and clarity of Russian River Chardonnay in a way
that speaks memorably. Aged 10 months in 30% new French oak. (92 points IJB)
Grill-Friendly Reds
2020
Graffigna Malbec Glorious Selection - Argentina,
Mendoza, Valle de Uco
SRP: $19
Vibrant purple
color. The nose is plummy and saucy with a complex mix of dusty earth, smoky, eucalyptus
tones, with nuanced toasted oak and vanilla. The palate shows smooth tannins,
balanced by fresh acid, with flavors of tart black currant and juicy black
cherries. Dark but lively with interwoven tones of graphite, cedar, gravelly
loam, dried violets, black pepper. Smooth and well-balanced but complex and
involved – this would be a great by-the-glass wine at a steakhouse, I’d sure
order it. Excellent value to stock up as well. All Malbec aged in French oak,
concrete, and steel. (90 points IJB)
2018
Bodegas Valdemar Rioja Conde de Valdemar Crianza - Spain,
La Rioja, La Rioja Alta, Rioja
SRP: $20
Light purple
color. The nose shows an earthy, savory, spicy mix of charcoal, paprika, tar,
over top of plum sauce and black cherries, with notes of graphite and mocha.
The palate shows refreshing acidity with smooth but structured tannins and
flavors of roasted digs and ripe black cherries. Focused, smooth, but shows nice
and nuance for the price, with elements of earth, tobacco, cedar, and spiced
black tea. Super fun and nice value. Tempranillo, Mazuelo, and Graciano from
vineyards in Rioja Alavesa and Rioja Alta. (88 points IJB)
2019 Viña
San Pedro Carménère 1865 Selected Vineyards - Chile,
Maule Valley
SRP: $18
Vibrant purple
color. Classic aromas of black cherries and currant sauce, with violets and
earth, savory tones of black pepper, roasted red pepper, pickling spices. The palate
is balanced and sports smooth tannins and moderate acidity, with effusive black
currant, blueberry, and black cherry fruit. The nuances of earth, charcoal, savory
spice, anise, grilled steak and bell peppers, with nuances of vanilla and oak
woven in well. All Carménère from the Maule
Valley. Lots of personality and value packed into this wine! (90 points IJB)
2020 Vara
Tinto Especial - Spain
SRP: $45
Deep ruby
color. The nose shows a vibrant yet jammy mix of raspberries and deep black
cherries, laced with a cool mix of graphite, campfire, dried rose petals, red
licorice, anise, with black pepper tones. The palate is ripe and juicy with
raspberries and black cherry fruit, smooth tannins, medium acidity, on a
medium-bodied frame, and things are wrapped together nicely. Smoky, minty,
tobacco-laden tones, blending well with savory broth and spicy floral potpourri
tones. This is spicy and fun, grill-friendly goodness. An interesting blend of 29% Cariñena and 28% Mencia from Spain, with 15%
Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Tempranillo from Central California, and 8%
Garnacha, 5% Syrah, and 5% Merlot from Montsant. (90 points IJB)
This post first appeared on the daily wine blog Terroirist.
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