Over the past few months I have had the opportunity to drink some extraordinary wines that are meant for a special occasion. For instance, last weekend while traveling to see some close friends I had the chance to sample a 2006 Leonetti Cabernet. There are really not enough superlatives to write about this wine. But I can tell you that this wine was balanced and out of control delicious. There have been other special occasions, for instance a friend’s birthday in Las Vegas, where a 2008 Clarendon Hills ‘Australis’ Shiraz was poured. This is one of the premier Shiraz wines out of Australia, so it was a real treat to enjoy the depth and purity of the wine.
I want to share some of the older vintage new world red wines that are great for special occasions. Some of these may be somewhat difficult to find (since they are older vintage wines) but they are hedonistic treats that will impress for a birthday, an anniversary, a graduation or any special occasion. If you come into contact with any of these wines, pick up a bottle and see for yourself. I think you will not be disappointed.
Here is my new world red wine splurge list from the past few months:
Australian Shiraz
2012 Mollydooker ‘Blue Eyed Boy’ Shiraz- Inky color with black cherry and cassis on the nose. Palate has density and viscosity. Black cherry, cedar, black olive, mocha and blueberry. Hard not to drink now as a crack and pour wine. Open and forward, but in the best way. -95
2008 Clarendon Hills ‘Astralis’ Shiraz- Inky color and needs more than two hours to fully open up. Blueberry, blackberry, smoked meats and cherry cough syrup on the nose. Palate has blueberry, blackberry, anise, tar and smoked meats. Incredibly mineral driven. This wine is a stunner and is every bit spectacular. Be sure to decant this for hours. -95
2007 Clarendon Hills ‘Clarendon Vineyard’ Shiraz- Inky color that needs more than an hour to open up. Smoked meats and plum on the nose with tar, coffee, prune and black cherry flavors. Delicious and complex. Drink now. -93
2006 Charendon Hills ‘Bookman Vineyard’ Shiraz- Compelling nose of blueberry, violet, rose petals and red cherry. Palate is viscous and concentrated. Prune, black cherry, crème de cassis, smoke and tar. Minerality is fascinating for an Aussie Shiraz. Winemaking is exceptional, drink now. -94
Washington Red Wines
2006 Leonetti Cellars Cabernet- This is an incredibly complex wine. Nose has mocha, anise and cassis with oak. Palate has intense layers that open up after an hour of decanting. Black cherry, black olive, blackberry, crème de cassis and mocha flavors. Absolutely a stunner as this wine has evolved to being smooth and seamless. Drink now. -96
2006 Woodward Canyon ‘Artist Series’ Cabernet- This wine smells rich and perfumed with red bell pepper and raspberry. Palate has nice depth and density. Plum, black cherry, anise and blackberry. Classic WA Cab style but you can see the components coming nicely together here. Slightly alcoholic but a rich, dense and compelling Cab. Drink now. -93
2008 Dubrul ‘Carriage House’ Cabernet- This wine is rich and viscous. Cab with 23% Merlot and 12% Cabernet Franc. A wonderful expression of a tremendous vintage. Prune and cassis with oak on the nose. The palate has crème de cassis, black olive, prune, vanilla and black cherry. Complex and delicious, drink now. -94
2005 Tamarack Cellars ‘Sagemoor Reserve’- Rich nose with blackberry and oak. Viscosity and balance in this open wine. Plush flavors of cherry, mocha, and anise. Reminiscent of the Quilceda Creek Red Wine in the depth and viscosity of the wine. Drink now. -94
2008 Dunham Cellars ‘Lewis Vineyard’ Merlot- Rich aroma of blackberry, black cherry, black olive and somehow smoked meats. Palate has rich viscosity with blackberry, black cherry, black olive and dried herbs. Seamless with a ton of character. Drink now. -94
2007 Dunham Cellars Cabernet- This wine was taken from a 3L bottle. Perfumed nose with black tea, black currant and black cherry. The wine settles after an hour in the decanter. Deep flavors of blackberry, black olive, black cherry, anise and mocha. This is every bit outstanding. Drink now. -95
California Red Wines
2009 Darioush Merlot- This wine has plum and red cherry with oak on the nose. Palate has red cherry dill, vanilla and blackberry. Delicious, rich and complex now. -94
2010 Sea Smoke ‘Ten’ Pinot Noir- This wine needs a ton of time in the decanter to develop. Plum and red cherry on the nose with ripe raspberry, red cherry, mushroom, minerals and cherry cola on the dense palate. Delicious and complex. Drink now. -94
2010 Chateau St. Jean ‘Durrell Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Rich nose with red cherry and raspberry, having an herbaceous side as well. Palate has cherry pie, cola and raspberry. Incredible balance, this is a quintessential California Pinot. Drink now. -94
2009 Brown Winery Red Blend- This wine is so rich that it would be hard to cellar now. Nose has mocha and oak. Palate has plum, coffee, blackberry and anise. Blend of Cab and Zin. Drink now. -93
2004 Caymus ‘Special Selection’ Cabernet- Nose has plum, fig, mint and black cherry with some oak. Palate has incredible viscosity. Flavor improves with more than an hour of decanting. Black cherry, olive, ripe red tomato, crème de cassis and blackberry with strong minerality. One of the best Napa Cabs I’ve had for a while. -95
2006 BV Winery ‘Tapestry’ Rich nose with cedar, prune and mocha. Palate needs an hour to develop. Mocha, graphite, anise and crème de cassis. Delicious and complex. Drink now. -93
2010 Nickel and Nickel ‘Quarry Vineyard’ Cabernet- Rich color with plum, ripe cherry and oak on the nose. Palate has plum, red cherry, blackberry, prune and graphite. Nice minerality but needs 2-3 years to fully develop. -93
2010 Shafer ‘One Point Five’ Cabernet- Tomato leaf and blackberry on the nose. Palate has chalky tannins and is surprisingly open. Blackberry, anise, mocha, graphite and cedar. Deep with great richness. Drink now. -94