Autumn evokes the tranquil fading of the year. Leaves drift to the forest floor, the sun sinks lower, the temperature drops, and, of course, the northern hemisphere begins to harvest their grapes. It is a perfect time for wines of tannin, spice, and earth. On the red end of the spectrum, an instant invocation is Zinfandel, with its deep, powerful, lifeful character. For white wines we drift to those well-oaked Chardonnays which bring us deeper into the woods. A forest-floor Pinot Noir? A spicy Shiraz? We look for wines which comfort us, remind us of nature, give us introspection as the year begins its ablation. Below we have curated the perfect collection of wines which harmonise with fall.
Turley, Lodi 'Old Vines' Zinfandel, 2020
A stunning Zinfandel from the masters of this grape. Turley Wine Cellars was founded by Larry Turley, brother of Californian 'celebrity'-wine-consultant Helen Turley, with the express mission of re-discovering this old variety of grape. Zinfandel, borne from plantings of Primitivo brought over from Italy in the mid-1800s, had long been neglected in favour of ‘trendier’ grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir, and Turley’s mission was to give this grape some love. This Old Vine Zinfandel is made with vines over 100 years old, giving them an intensely rich and warming character, with dark fruits, red berries, earth, wood, and spice.
Domaine Clos des Rocs, Pouilly-Loché Les Barres, 2022
Whilst on the fresher side, this Burgundian Chardonnay gives room for the life lingering before winter. Fresh citrus, orchard fruits, crushed flowers, and minerality coalesce with a subtle nutty and oaky finish. A wonderful bridge between the vibrancy of summer, and the darkening of autumn. Fresh, juicy, savoury and clean: this is a master work of the kind of finesse and quiet complexity we expect from Burgundy.
Marcassin, 'Marcassin Vineyard' Pinot Noir 2012
If you are looking for a real treat, Marcassin’s Pinot Noirs are, arguably, perfect. The fresh vibrancy of the Napa Pinot is enshrouded beautifully in the tertiary notes this wine has acquired during the 13 years it has resided in-bottle, bringing a host of dark damp earth, fresh and dried porcini mushrooms, autumn leaves, oak, and dried herbs to the ripe core of cherry and raspberry. An absolutely stunning wine made perfect by the alchemy of time. The finish is long, and the impression this wine has on you: even longer...
