by Peg Melnik
As we come to the end of 2018, let’s raise a glass to some of our Wine-of-the-Week winners from the past year. These bottlings were standouts in Press Democrat blind tastings. Think of them as risk-free purchases; they’ve been vetted.
This tasty lineup of wines saw us through the cultural tumult of 2018, a tectonic shift of sorts. We lost the ‘Queen of Soul’ — Aretha Franklin — best known for her hits ‘Respect,’ ‘Think’ and ‘I Say a Little Prayer.’ Meanwhile across the pond, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said, ‘I do,’ in front of a global audience of 1.9 billion. Finally, the stakes were high for theatergoers; ‘Hamilton’ set a record for a top premium ticket at $849.
While life continues to be in flux, these wines remain a constant, ones you can count on to stand up over time. With New Year’s Eve in the offing, why not stock up your cellar? Here’s a list of 10 bottlings, with five stars being the finest, that won’t disappoint.
2016 Argyle Willamette Valley Pinot Noir – ★★★★
This pinot has dark fruit — blackberry and black cherry — with a hint of red currant. It’s elegant with a purity of fruit. Buoyed by bright acidity, it’s layered with a meatiness and spice. This is a striking pinot to pair with a holiday or other celebratory feast. Spot on.