8 Excellent Wines to Serve in 2022

TO KALON

Crafted from grapes sourced in Napa Valley from To Kalon Vineyard, H.W. Crabb planted a vast empire of vines in the 1860s. Named To Kalon which in Ancient Greek means for “the highest beauty,” these historic vines provide Robert Mondavi Winery with grapes for its world-class Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve, Oakville District Cabernet Sauvignon, and is the exclusive source of our Fumé Blanc Reserve. Winemaker Andy Erickson recommends the following for the holidays:

To Kalon Vineyard Company Eliza’s 2018 (SRP $200, sold in sets of three) is brand new to the market, blending Cabernet Franc at the forefront, bringing exotic spice notes and floral aromas, and Cabernet Sauvignon providing weight, structure, and a deep, rich, black fruit character. This effusive and exuberant wine will age beautifully for decades to come.

To Kalon Vineyard Company Highest Beauty 2018 (SRP $200, sold in sets of three) is a brilliantly red-purple wine that has an energy and freshness on both the nose and palate with rounded tannins, bright perfume, and mouthwatering acidity. Beautifully balanced, it offers notes of raspberry, vanilla bean, clove, and frankincense with a refined but compelling intensity that will only gain in stature and interest with age. Serve during your Christmas dinner or NYE gathering to toast to a new year.

Jill Weinlein

In 1966, Robert Mondavi built his Napa Valley Winery with a singular vision: To create wines that stand amongt the world’s finest. ‘The Soul of the Wine is in the Soil’ and Mondavi farmed in some of the best regions in Napa Valley for ideal soil and climate in grape growing, plus emphasized careful stewardship of precious resources.

Charlotte Selles, the General Manager of The Robert Mondavi Winery at Constellation Brands recommends two wines for 2022. The Napa Valley 2019 Sauvignon Blanc is one of Mondavi’s finest starter wines to get wine drinkers acquainted with the brand. Distributed all over the world, this white wine offers notes of Asian pear and creamy lemon curd flavors with the faintest hint of white blossoms. It’s an ideal wine to serve with seafood or a cheese board. 

Jill Weinlein

The second Robert Mondavi wine is a 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon offering bright acidity and fine tannins. It’s made from 80% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, 11% Merlot grapes, 5% Petit Verdot, 3% Cabernet Franc and 1% Malbec. This wine offers dark stone fruit, cherries and purple plum on the nose with hints of vanilla, mint and sandalwood. The gorgeous chocolatey dark texture is framed by fine tannins and offers pleasing notes of sweet black fruit and warm spices. This wine is excellent with a juicy steak, leg of lamb venison.

Jill Weinlein

One of the most enthusiastic and passionate wineries JCB by Jean-Charles Boisset has a collection of wines perfect for the holidays. The 2017 Passion Napa Valley red wine has an exciting label that will liven up any dinner table. The words ‘Elegant’ ‘Charismatic’ ‘Sensual’ and ‘Spontaneous’ are some of the words that appear on the label in gold lettering.

Jean-Charles Boisset is a wine love story about a charismatic French winemaker, who meets Gina Gallo, a beautiful granddaughter of the most famous California wine pioneer. Meeting at a tasting room in Bordeaux, France, they fall in love, get married in San Francisco, and within two years have twin daughters.

Together they purchased the former home of Robert Mondavi in Napa Valley, and a handful of wineries including one of the oldest Buena Vista Winery and Raymond Vineyards. Boisset’s own label JCB produces still and sparkling wines from Burgandy and Provence, France, as well as Napa and Sonoma.

His 2017 Passion Napa Valley Red Wine is bold and structured offering a dazzling red and black fruit aroma with hints of chocolate and baking spice. The complex tannins lead to a rich and intense finish. It’s ideal to pair with a charcuterie board, roasted and grilled meats.

JOSH Wines

Toast to family and good friends while serving Josh Cellars premium sparkling wine. It’s a festive way to kick-off a dinner party or Sunday brunch.

Josh Cellars is one of those feel-good father and son stories, about a son inspired by his father’s work ethic and commitment to high stands. Son Joseph Carr founded his California wine brand to honor and pay tribute to his father Josh.

Josh Cellars makes a classic Prosecco that is refreshingly acidic with a hint of sweetness. This bubbly offers an aroma of green apple, pear, and a touch of citrus to the nose. With a crisp and vibrant taste, it’s delightful to serve with crispy potato chips, creme fraiche and caviar or a charcuterie board. Pour during brunch featuring ham, eggs and salads.

For those looking to serve a beverage with festive color, Josh Cellars make a Prosecco Rose’ offering notes of wild berry and blackberry with refreshing effervescence. This pairs well with smoked salmon on bagels, eggs Benedict, and a fruit plate.

Larkmead Vineyards

Larkmead Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is the core of their wine portfolio. Sourced from grapes growing deeper and in rich soil, the wine is a creative blending of fruit from young and old vines. The 2017 Cabneret Sauvignon is made with 90% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes and 10% Merlot. It’s aged in French Oak for 19 months and is a wine you can enjoy now, or hold onto and drink in 10-20 years. 

This medium to full body wine offers aromas of bright red cherry, revealing plum and a wisp of rosemary. It’s playful on the palate showcasing black and blue fruit and berries with fine tannins.