Splurge-Worthy Wines for Your Thanksgiving Feast

Champagne Pick 

There is no better way to explore the style and terroir of Champagne than drinking vintage-declared wines. Since Champagne houses only declare a vintage when the season produces fruit of the highest quality, it is truly special to experience a vintage bottling. Sourced from only the finest Grand Cru villages in the Côtes des Blancs, 2015 Pol Roger Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne $149.99 94WS 94WE delivers on all fronts. (For context, they did not produce a 2014 vintage). The 2015 cuvée has been bottle aged for six years in their deep underground cellars before release. This pale gold,100% Chardonnay shows vibrant acidity with flavors of citrus peel, yellow apple, pear, and hazelnut. The autolytic characteristics of buttery brioche round out the palate to make an exceptionally luxurious and balanced experience. We are sure this crowd-pleasing style will elevate any special moment to round out 2024.  

White Pick 

During my first trip to Burgundy, as we were approaching Beaune, my travel companions and I were faced with the ever-polarizing question for Burgundy newbies: Where should we go first? While everyone in the car was saying to go right to the Côte de Nuits, I was in the front seat and subtly influenced our driver to make a left heading deeper into the Côte de Beaune. Not many of my companions had experienced Chardonnay produced in the rich, layered style that only Meursault can provide, and I knew this would be the perfect opportunity! My hunch was confirmed when we tasted the wines of Meursault—it’s truly a singular expression of Chardonnay.

For this holiday season, I encourage you to spread the good word of Meursault, by sharing 2020 Domaine Bouchard Père & Fils Meursault 1er Cru "Les Genevrières $124.99 94DC 94JS. The wines from this acclaimed site have the perfect amount of minerality and acidity to keep the creaminess balanced, all while showcasing ripe apple, Asian pear, and lemon curd flavors in their youth and developing even further complexities if you chose to cellar. There is a reason the Burgundians love to pair Meursault with their famous Bresse chickens; Meursault is the perfect pairing for all kinds of roasted birds. So, if you are still contemplating what the perfect white wine is to pair with your turkey, follow the Burgundians with Meursault. 

Red Picks 

After a long hot summer, I really look forward to the fall season and all that it entails. The trees start to drop their leaves—as much as they can in Southern California—and we are greeted with that first blast of cool air. This is Mother Nature’s way of telling me that the season is changing, and I should get ready to change too—shifting the way I eat, the way I dress, and of course my favorite part, the way I drink. Put away the rosé, it is time to relax at night by a fire with some well-aged red wines. Drinking older vintages of red wine offers a unique experience that often exceeds expectations, as the primary fruit flavors in their youth take a backseat to the complex tertiary flavors that only the tender hand of age can provide.  

This month, we have two exciting red wines from landmark vintages and classic regions of Rioja and Bordeaux. First, the 2004 Lopez de Heredia "Viña Tondonia" Gran Reserva Rioja $224.99 WA100 is a predominantly Tempranillo-based wine made in a classic Rioja style from the famed Tondonia vineyard situated just off the Ebro River. This traditional producer holds their wines far longer than required to ensure they have had enough time to develop before release. At twenty years they are showing aromatic complexities that include dried red fruit, herbs, spices, and a touch of vanilla from the use of American oak barrels crafted in house by their own cooper. This 100-point wine is ready to show you and your loved ones what classic, aged Rioja is all about.    

For all the Bordeaux lovers that appreciate big, full-bodied, Left Bank wines, look no further than the 2010 Smith Haut Lafitte, Pessac-Léognan $219.99 JD100 DC99. The Cathiard family has invested substantially in improving the quality of their operation, and the 2010 is a testament to their efforts. This wine is comprised of 64% Cabernet Sauvignon with 30% Merlot with smaller amounts of Cabernet Franc and Petite Verdot. This rich and ripe, structured wine shows classic notes of blueberry, blackberry compote, graphite, licorice, and cigar box with well-structured tannins. This is drinking beautifully now but will also be a nice host gift for collectors who want to put it in their cellars for a few years.

- Christian Zak, K&L Key Accounts Specialist