A toast to the gardener! Why not celebrate a great season with some fruit of the vines? Most gardeners think about rewarding themselves with an end of the workday glass of wine, but few get around to it. Tuck in a special bottle as a reminder to step back and celebrate another year of wonder in the garden.
1. MacMurray Ranch 2006 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Wine
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Pinot Noir is the red wine with the feel of satin. MacMurry Ranch is in California’s Sonoma Valley, where great values are waiting to be discovered. Not as well known as Napa, Sonoma Valley wineries have been quietly perfecting their products for years now. This particular Pinot is oak aged with a fruity aroma of berries and currants backed by vanilla.
2. Buena Vista 2004 Syrah
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Does your gardener prefer a bold, full-bodied wine? Here’s a California Syrah with layers of flavor and spice. Connoisseur’s Guide gave it 91 points (out of 100). “This carefully crafted offering is convincing proof that Syrah can be both big and well-polished at one and the same time. From its very deep, genuinely juicy, slightly spicy, oak-seasoned, berry-like aromas all the way through to its layered, optimally ripened flavors, the wine is beautifully proportioned and, at times, it is almost velvety in feel. That is not to say that it is soft or devoid of tannin for it has the structural spine to ensure aging and will improve for a half-dozen years.”
3. Frescobaldi Chianti Rufina Castello Di Nipozzano Riserva 2005 Italy Tuscany Chia
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How about something from the sunshine of Tuscany? Chianti often conjures up memories of something imitating wine in a basket covered bottle, but the Chianti Rufina region of Italy has some wines that will shock you with their robust refinement. This blend of 90% Sangiovese with a splash of Malvasia, Colorino, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon received 91 points (out of 100) from Wine Spectator Magazine. "Very aromatic, offering bright blackberry and light vanilla aromas. Full-bodied, with vibrant fruit, fine tannins and a clean, crisp, fruity finish. Best after 2008".
4. Waterstone Carneros Chardonnay 2004
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Here’s a crisp, citrusy California white that makes a nice sipping wine. Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine gave it an 87 (out of 100), making it a good value. It’s mild and refreshing, for those who enjoy a lighter wine that’s not too sweet.
5. Handley Cellars Anderson Valley Gewurztraminer 2006
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Does your gardeners have a sweet tooth. Gewurztraminer is much easier to enjoy than it is to pronounce. This one, from a small family vineyard in California's Mendocino County, is fruity enough for the sweet wine lover to enjoy, but with enough acid to keep it crisp. Wine & Spirits Review gave it a 93 (out of 100).
6. Roederer Estate Anderson Valley Brut (Sparkling Wine)
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If you’re going to celebrate, you might as well do it up big. This sparkling wine is also from California's Mendocino County. The California outpost of Champagne Louis Roederer in France employs the same wine making traditions, using only Estate-grown grapes from the winery's own vineyards. According to the Wine Spectator: "Smooth, rich and creamy, with spicy pear, fig, melon and honeysuckle flavors that are fresh and lively, ending with a tasty burst of ripe fruit. Drink now." Wine & Spirits Review gave it a 92 (out of 100).”
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