Don’s November Premier Series Top Picks

My November Premier Series special features of the month are a delicious red blend called “1448” from Jeff Runquist, one of California’s premier producers of Petite Sirah, and Torre Oria, an exuberant, flavorful Spanish Cava.  The 2009 Runquist “1448” is blend of Petite Sirah, with sizeable percentages of Barbera, Petit Verdot, and Syrah added for good measure.  “1448” is big, bold, and to my taste quite beautiful, and it’s only just begun its life.  Torre Oria’s non-vintage Brut Cava is precisely what good Cava ought to be: lively, delicate, and flavorful without an edge.

As of late, Torre Oria’s Cava has enjoyed considerable critical acclaim, but more important in my opinion is consumer reaction to this wine: Torre Oria’s Brut Cava has been a real crowd pleaser at classes, tastings, and dinners I’ve attended over the last year.

A Votre Santé!

Don

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About the Author

Don Lahey's career in the wine industry spans over 30 years as an importer, author, consultant, and educator. He leads the tasting panel that selects our wines each month.

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