25 Sparkling Wines, Whites, And Reds For The Autumn Season
There are a lot of new wine releases on the market as we turn from summer to fall, and we've selected 25 of the best, from various locations, in a wide variety of styles and prices.
Torresella Prosecco Extra Dry NV ($16). From the Veneto producer owned by Santa Margherita. Quite good, with typical prosecco fruitiness, but with a crisp finish of limes and other green fruits.
Gloria Ferrer Carneros Brut Rosé NV ($21). Rich and full with light cherry flavors and good minerality.
Ayala Brut Majeure NV ($41). A Champagne you want to stick your nose into, with rich and meaty brioche aromas and flavors, yet a refreshingly clean finish — all at a good price, too.
Ayala Brut Majeur Rosé NV ($55). Good, tangy flavors of dried apricots, and good minerality.
Piper-Heidsieck Sauvage Rosé NV ($59). Delightful and generous — rich and well-balanced with tart strawberry flavors.
Herdade do Esporão "V" Regionale Alentejo Verdelho 2016 ($12). A good example of what Portugal's verdelho grape is capable of, with clean herbal and lime spiciness.
Urban Mosel Riesling 2016 ($15). Nice for the price, with great flavors, though just a tad heavy.
Flora Springs Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2016 ($22). Quite elegant, with long-lasting flavors of apples and lime.
Vassaltis Santorini Assyrtiko 2016 ($23). A wine that needs to be noticed — delightful, complex, and full-bodied, but with crisp, herbal tanginess.
Flora Springs Napa Valley Chardonnay ($35). A lovely balance of fruit — peaches and apricots — and barrel flavors, with a long finish.
Frank Family Carneros Chardonnay 2015 ($35). A very enjoyable white, with rounded flavors of mellow apple and tropical fruits and good finishing acidity.
Dow Vale do Bomfim Douro Red 2015 ($13). Excellent for the price, offering bright berry flavors with good structure and finish.
Château Lauriol Francs Côtes de Bordeaux 2014 ($14). Côtes de Bordeaux reds provide good, affordable Bordeaux drinking, and this one has spicy cherry flavors with a lean and leathery finish.
Amalaya Salta Malbec 2016 ($16). Light in body, but with nice, spicy fruit and good length on the palate.
D.V. Catena Mendoza "Tinto Historico" Red Blend 2014 ($21). A lean Argentinean with a blend of raspberries and blackberries and a crisp finish.
E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage 2013 ($25). Like a wine brownie — lovely dark fruits and earthy, savory syrah flavors.
Abadia Retuerta Sardón de Duero Selección Especial 2013 ($30). Tight, intense blackberry flavors with well-structured tannins in the finish. Needs decanting or some time in the cellar.
Mill Creek Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2013 ($32). Warm and generous with blackberries, a hint of caramel, and crisp edges.
Aresti "Family Collection" Curicó Valley Red 2012 ($35). Velvety texture with rich fruit and balancing savory notes.
Frank Family Carneros Pinot Noir 2015 ($35). Quite nice, with dark, rounded cherry fruit and hints of earthiness.
Frank Family Napa Valley Zinfandel 2014 ($37). Rich, ripe Bing cherries with some spicy and dark wood notes.
Dry Creek "Four Clones" Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2014 ($40). Dark and intense with lots of stuffing and some hints of balsamic.
Seghesio "Cortina" Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel 2014 ($40). Nice, ripe cherry fruitiness, turning a little mellow and creamy in the finish.
Pahlmeyer Napa Valley Red Wine 2014 ($175). Beautiful, luscious wine that blends red and purple berry flavors; full-bodied with a long, chocolate-tinted finish.
Stewart Cellars Nomad Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 ($175). A well-blended but still tight cabernet from Beckstoffer's Las Piedras vineyard, it has concentrated dark fruits, savory flavors, and a hint of creamy vanilla.