FOOD & WINE
Fall in a
GLASS Awesomely autumnal wines to sip By Alison Bailin Batz
F
all is an interesting time in the Valley. While the hottest days of the year are finally behind us, it isn’t quite cool enough for jackets just yet. That can make choosing the perfect wine tough — as many opt for more tropical and refreshing flavor profiles in the summer and then big, bold flavor profiles in the winter. But fear not! We have you covered with some amazing bottles for fall in Arizona. Neither too light nor too bold, if Goldilocks was of age, she would call them “just right.” Chateau Magnol AOC Haut-Médoc, Cru Bourgeois 2016 This blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon — from a vineyard whose winemaking history dates back to 1842 — offers multilayered complexity with black cherry fruit, mint and spice notes, as well as vanilla and tobacco on the finish. Decant and pair with your end of season grilling. $29.99 Graham Beck Blanc de Blancs 2016 The fruit for this wine was hand-selected and hand-harvested from Graham Beck’s epic Chardonnay clonal block on its awardwinning Robertson Estate. That means this will be beyond elegant and impressive and a sparkling wine with a little more meat on its bones versus the light, bright options you drank all summer. $30 Baileyana Firepeak Pinot Noir, Edna Valley 2018 The Edna Valley is the coolest growing region in all of California, but the Firepeak
vineyard blocks are defined by extinct volcanoes found in the area, creating unique soils. This wine is much like the volcanos that came before it, in that it erupts, albeit with ripe cherry, blackberry, cinnamon and tobacco. $30 Rombauer Vineyards Carneros Chardonnay Among the most awarded and beloved white wines in the nation, the bright fruitforward palate of this chardonnay is inviting, and the rich, creamy palate works well with so many beloved foods as we turn to fall. It is a celebration of ripe yellow peach, Meyer lemon, clove and vanilla in every sip. $38 J Vineyards & Winery Cuvée 20 Brut NV This sparkler opens with nuanced aromas of toasted almond, setting the stage for a burst of fall in every sip, including notes of Braeburn apple, dried cranberry and even a little ginger snap, followed by a hint of tart lemon meringue to remind you it isn’t fall just yet. $38 Talbott Vineyards 2017 Sleepy Hollow Vineyard Chardonnay Despite its name, don’t sleep on this exceptional tropical take on chardonnay, as it offers Pink Lady apple, Bosc pear, pineapple and even a hint of brioche. There is a zesty acid versus full creaminess one usually expects in a California chardonnay. $42 La Scolca Gavi dei Gavi This high-quality, expressive vintage
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offers delicate notes of white flowers, flint, citrus and stone fruits, with almonds and walnuts on the palate, that is meant to be shared with everyone from friends and family to colleagues. $42 Louis M. Martini Winery 2018 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Notes of black cherry, blackberry and plum are complemented by hits of toasted oak, dried currant and baking spice in this versatile little vixen. It is also surprisingly balanced, perfect for warm or cool nights. $45 The Hunt Red Blend, Sonoma County 2018 A stunner for evenings when the weather dips below 90 degrees, this is a Bordeaux-style blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc aged in French and American oak barrels. The result is rich character without being too over the top. $45
