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{ SOMMjournal.com } 105 A MIXED BAG OF TREATS FOR THE HOLIDAYS Alpha Estate 2013 Axia Malagouzia, Greece ($20) Floral and peachy, not high on complexity; a good swap out for Pinot Grigio. Suavia 2011 Soave Classico Monte Carbonare, Italy ($29) Solid crowd-pleaser with stone, ripe fruit, bitter almond, and lemon pith. Vinatigo 2013 Ensamblaje Blanco, Ycoden-Daute-Isora, Canary Islands ($32.99) Voted wine with the most personality. Tropical, intriguing and intense, but too wild for a full night of drinking. Portlandia 2013 Pinot Gris, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($24.99) Refreshing, super peachy, showing some minerality but not the complexity to go with it. A likely pleaser for all at the table. Domaine Ostertag 2011 Pinot Gris Fronholz, Alsace ($50) Rich and bold, smoky and intense with yellow and green vegetal quali - ties. Esoteric and exotic. Domaine Michel & Stephane Ogier 2010 Condrieu "La Combe de Malleval," France ($95) This 100% Viognier was considered too low in acid to pair with food and too high in alcohol as an aperitif. Most felt Viognier just hasn't "come into its own yet." Stoller Rose 2013, Dundee Hills, Oregon ($20) 100% Pinot Noir was assessed as a crowd-pleasing wine with good acid and fresh fruits. "A wine that sells itself." Lieb Cellars 2008 Reserve Merlot, North Fork Long Island ($22) An earthy, savory and affordable Bordeaux-style wine that overturned assumptions. "Good grip" and "nice balance between fruit and herbs." Château La Pointe 2011 Pomerol, France ($39) Though the sec- ond bottle from a well-regarded château, this disappointed with its confectionary and fruity profile. Matetic 2010 EQ Pinot Noir, San Antonio, Chile ($39.99) Spicy aromatics and and less-than-vibrant fruit, it failed to convince the panel that South America can produce a Pinot Noir that rivals other regions. J. K. Carriere 2011 Pinot Noir Vespidae, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($45) "Earthy, evolved aromas," good tannins and fresh bright fruit made this a likely and versatile candidate for holiday meals. Santa Rita 2008 Triple C, Maipo Valley, Chile ($39.99) An inky, dense Bordeaux-styled wine with very ripe fruit and good struc - ture required an intense grill or roast to offset its intensity. Paul Jaboulet Aîné 2010 Hermitage La Chappelle, France ($320) Sadly disappointing, especially for the price. Boutin 2012 Côte-Rôtie "Bonnevaux," France ($72.99) Impressed for its fresh, bright, straightforward style. Domaine Marc Morey 2010 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru "Les Vergers," France ($115) "Well- made, tight acid done right" despite the oak. Disznóko ˝ 2007 Tokaji 5 Puttonyos, Tokaj-Hegyalja, Hungary ($60) "Sound" with great acid and high potential for BTG sells. BEST IN SHOW The Quaff Report thanks Teuwen Communications for providing wines and space for this month's panel, and also thanks the following for their submissions: David Bowler, Cornerstone Communications. Creative Feed, Full Circle Solutions, Robert Kacher, Steve Mann Imports, New Wines of Greece, Doug Polaner, Quintessential. Up next: Sweet and sparkling, in Quaff Report No. 3, December-January issue.