Handley Cellars/Holidays Wines/Something For Everybody/

I have four great wines put aside for the first holiday feast.Two whites and two reds.We will start with the whites.Most will at least try whites wines when pairing with Turkey.For those who stick always with reds...two great Pinot Noirs from Handley Cellars.We will check out the tasting notes and open these bottles.First I have two amazing white wines. Handley Cellars is a small family-owned winery in California’s Mendocino County. Bonded in 1982, we produce around 12,000 cases of wine a year. their quality starts with the Estate Vineyards in Anderson Valley. Located at the northwest end of the Anderson Valley on 59 acres of the original Holmes Ranch. Still standing on the property are the now-refurbished ranch house, barn, and the original water tower. This Pinot Blanc immediately draws you in with its sunny nature and aromas of spring flowers, apricot blossoms, and musk melon, its signature fragrance. The aromatics are boosted by the addition of Riesling providing floral notes. The fleshiness and creamy texture is created by extended yeast lees contacting. It has juicy peach and pineapple flavors, along with the creaminess of Macadamia nuts. This Pinot Blanc shows stature and structure, all the way through its long finish, which leaves you with a pleasant lingering smack of Bartlett Pear. This is a good starter wine that works well with appetizers such as prosciutto wrapped melon, cheese platter, roasted nuts, or chicken salad. The fruit for this juicy, mouthwatering Pinot Gris is sourced from the Helluva and Romani Vineyards located at opposite ends of Anderson Valley. We employed a combination of lees stirring in neutral puncheons, along with fermentation in both large wooden ovals and stainless steel resulting in a full mouth-pleasing texture with a focused crisp mineral finish. The aromas encompass both stone fruit and tropical nuances showing nectarine and tangerine, with hints of daffodils and lemongrass. Both apricot and lime zest integrate with fleshy flavors of guava and nectarine resulting in a ripe mouthwatering wine with a dry and punchy finish. It pairs well with potato and pasta salads, ceviche and fish tacos, or seared scallops or shrimp and pasta with cream sauce. Both these wines with be perfect with the classic Turkey dinner.Handley has many whites that are excellent with this pairing,but these two stood out as my first choices.To be honest,I would start with these wines and move on to the Pinot Noirs.People who love this grape, with tell you Pinot Noir goes with everything....AND they would be correct to a certain degree.I have two current releases from Handley Cellars that are drinking very well,and just added another layer of perfection to a meal that has everything.First let's taste the 2013 Estate Vineyard Anderson Valley Pinot Noir from Handley Cellars. The CCOF organically farmed fruit for this wine comes from our Estate Vineyard located in the deep end of Anderson Valley. The blend is comprised of old vine Martini clone and a newer section of Dijon clone 777. This combination of old and new shows aromas of boysenberry, violets, baking spices with flavors of ripe black cherries and fresh baked bread and a long delicate soft finish. GOLD: Pacific Rim Wine Competition. This wine would be a meal on it's own as it's a pure expression with incredible fruit and finish.I have to admit...i'm now eating more food...just because the wines are sensational!let's open one more wine!YES,Another Pinot Noir... The fruit for this wine comes from RSM vineyard located high above the valley floor. This vineyard sheltered from northern ocean breezes is planted with a mix of Dijon clones 115 and 667 and Pommard clone. The vines struggle in the thin nutrient poor soils resulting in limited yields of small clusters of small and variable berry size. The high skin to juice ratio of the mountain fruit provides intense aromas of ripe black cherries, briary fruit, baking spices, and mushroom earthy notes. It shows intense and persistent flavors of blueberry and huckleberry pie, root beer, soy and salty seaweed and has a velvety finish complimented by ripe chalky tannins. GOLD & 93 POINTS: Press Democrat; GOLD & BEST OF CLASS: Dan Berger Wine Competition. I poured a full extra glass of this wine...just to enjoy after this amazing feast.One great aspect of this wine..no matter what you are eating it's makes it better!The meat,the string beans with fresh onion sauce,you try it,and pair with this wine.INCREDIBLE! There is just enough time to relax and light up a smoke.Perhaps your cigar of choice,or maybe something that will help bring back your need to go back for dessert ...And of course you do need to review ALL the wines,and make final decisions as to your favorites.I want to wish a very safe and happy Thanksgiving to all folks.Please make it a Handley type of holiday....Cheers!I will also post some great features which will follow this holiday special.