Here are some wine recommendation and descriptions for Thanksgiving dinner from Craig Revell, Sly's Sommelier. As you may have noticed on Craig's suit coat lapel, Craig has recently earned his coveted Certified Sommelier pin from the Court of the Master Sommelier. We do mean "earned" too, because that little pin represents a huge amount of study and test time. Coupled with all of Craig's years of experience as a dining room professional and his passion for wine, we've come to the conclusion that Craig pretty well knows what he's talking about when it comes to wine and wine recommendations. So, we're happy to share Craig's thoughts here for your Thanksgiving holiday enjoyment.
For those of you picking up one of Sly's Thanksgiving Dinners, remember that we offer 10% off all wines by the bottle from our list with your Thanksgiving Dinner. And if you missed out getting a Thanksgiving dinner from Sly's, remember that Craig is available for advice when you are dining, too.
Amazing White Wines to go with Thanksgiving Dinner
Vidal Fleury Cotes de Rhone blanc 2009
This fragrant wine is 100% Viognier and has a fun floral nose, medium body, and mild viscosity, typical of Viognier. With zesty acid, pleasant minerality, and notes of peach, fuji apple and grapefruit, this wine will pair nicely with your Thanksgiving dinner. It's on our list for $29 per bottle.
Clairborne and Churchill Reisling 2006
Made by a premier producer of Alsatian style whites in CA. We are lucky to offer the '06 vintage of their Riesling. The wine has evolved nicely, softening its acid structure while enhancing its character. "Elegant" and "full of finesse" describe this wine that has notes of white peach and kaffir lime. On Sly's list at $35.
Rusack Santa Maria Valley Reserve 2009
The Rusack Reserve Chardonnay from Santa Maria is a gem of a local Chardonnay. Balance comes to mind with the fruit, acid and oak combining seamlessly. Toasty vanilla comes out beautifully without the wine being overdone in any way. Craig doesn't always agree with wine reviewer Robert Parker, but Parker gave this 90+ points. $54.
Chateau Pouilly Cuvée 1551, Pouilly-Fuissé, 2006
For the Francophiles in our midst, we have a wonderful expression of Chardonnay that will fit on your Thanksgiving day table. The '06 Chateau Pouilly Cuvée 1551 has soften up nicely over the past five years and will complement a variety of food with its fruit and minerality. $58.
Chateau la Nerthe, Châteauneuf du Pâpe blanc, 2009
This white Chateuneuf du Pape is both great and different. Chateau la Nerthe is the oldest estate bottling winery in the Chateauneuf du Pape region of the Rhone Valley - the estate dates back the 18th century. This blend of Grenache blanc, Rousanne, Clairette, and Bourbolenc is guaranteed to be a crowd (and mouth!) pleaser. Full bodied with layers and layers of complexity, this wine will wow you and your guests. $75.
Some really great Reds for that Noble Bird
Juliénas "La Trinquee", George Duboeuf 2009
Beaujolais is not all unexciting Beaujolais Noveau. Juliénas is one of the ten cru Beaujolais appelations and Duboeuf is one of the most reputed producers. This wine grape is Gamay, and has a nice medium body and soft tannins. It has character and will not overwhelm your turkey or mashed potatoes with gravy. On the list at Sly's for only $29.
Margerum M5 2008 Doug Margerum, one of the founders and proprietors of The Wine Cask restaurant in Santa Barbara, has been making some outstanding wines locally. This blend of the classic five red grapes (hence the name M5) from the southern part of the Rhone Valley has fun balance of fruit, acid, earth and tannins. $47.
Gigondas "les Racines", Domaine Les Pallieres 2008
Made in a region in the southern Rhone Valley that dominates with Grenache. This version from Domaine Les Pallieres blend somehow strikes a pleasing balance between violets, dark fruit and compost tea on the nose. The wine has lots of character and not too much tannins or acid. $54.
Melville Estate, PInot Noir 2009
For a local crowd-pleasing Pinot Noir, we have a good one from the Melville estate. Vibrant fruit, complex earthiness, and a bit of smokiness make this a nice selection that will not overwhelm any of your bites of delicious roast turkey. $60.
Chambolle Musigny, "Les Charmes", Premier Cru Alex Gambal 2006
Crème de la crème of French Pinots Noir, our Premier Cru Chambolle Musigny from Alex Gambal is super. It combines elegance from floral and subtle fruit aspects with structure from soft tannins and acid. If you want to be most happy on Thanksgiving day, serve this to yourself and your closest loved ones. If you are slick, you can pour a different (more affordable?) red for your annoying mother-in-law without sharing. On Sly's list at $90.
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