Give Thanks to these Holiday Wines

The Fall season is always an exciting one for wines as new releases are brought to market and the current year’s harvest is completed. I understand that California from coast to coast had a banner harvest with little rain as an impediment and rich concentration of juice, with no overproduction. The only exception was the Pinot Noir crop. The dry weather has left vineyards scrambling for grapes to make this wine. The shortage of Pinot could lead to rising prices for this fragile grape. But we won’t be able to taste the goods for a year or two.

• San Diego Wine Company is touting the Chateau Bellisle Mondotte, St. Emilion Grand Cru Bordeaux, 2005, for just $28.95. ‘05 was an incredible year in France.
  
  
• Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Reserve 2004. Just out as the #9 wine in all the world from Wine Spectator at 95 points. $125. This was the last year that the Mondavis had a hand in the winemaking before being taken over. But wait…I just tasted the ’04 Mondavi Cab, not the reserve, but a rich, beautifully structured non-reserve wine, for just $20… your choice. Just don’t bother with the ’05: a stinging taste and flavor…ugly!
  
  
• Banfi Chianti Classico, 2005. Well balanced, easy to please the palate Sangiovese grape. Easy price at $10.
  
  
• Pedroncelli “Mother Clone” Zinfandel 2005. Sonoma’s most pleasing old vine Zin. Full-bodied classicDry Creek Valley wine. Just a touch of Petite Syrah for a bit more bang. “ Mother” is 100 year old vines. Great concentration. Worth a look at www.pedroncelli.com. $18.