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SELVAPIANA

Chianti Rufina 2018

(Chianti, Tuscany, Italy) $14

Talk about over-delivering. Here’s a Chianti that—for about $3 a glass–turns mere eating into dining. I love the delicious notes of red fruit, roses, cinnamon, and something beautifully salty. This is the sort of traditional Chianti that can transport one right back to a trattoria in Tuscany twenty years ago. (Wine and memories). Selvapiana has been making wine for almost 200 years in Chianti Rufina (Rufina is the smallest subzone in the Chianti area). (13.5% abv)

90 points KM

Available at Saratoga Wine Exchange

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SEVEN HILLS

Merlot 2017

(Walla Walla Valley, WA) $25

Washington State makes some of the most delicious merlots in America—rich wines with blackcurrant and vanilla bean flavors like this one from Seven Hills. Perfect with turkey drumsticks.

90 points KM

Available at Seven Hills Winery

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WENTE

“Riva Ranch” Chardonnay 2018

(Arroyo Seco, Monterey County, CA) $22

Soft and golden—with simple creamy flavors of golden delicious and honey crisp apples. Great pairing with white meat.

88 points KM

Available at Wente Vineyards

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ROGER GOULART

"Coral" Rose Brut Cava NV

(Penedès, Spain) $14

Bone dry and terrifically fresh. Hints of almonds and berries. Would be great for making kirs and other sparkling cocktails to enjoy while stirring the gravy.

89 points KM

Available at Saratoga Wine Exchange

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BROADBENT

“Rainwater” Madeira

(Madeira, Portugal) $16

Earthy, sweet pumpkin pie is fantastic with Madeira, a wine that’s intriguingly full of roasted nut, caramel, spice and exotic mandarin orange flavors. A small glass of Rainwater this Thanksgiving will convince you.

89 points KM

Available at K&L Wine Merchants

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SMITH & DEVEREAX

“NO. 3” Red Blend 2017

(California) $20

Who doesn’t need a delicious fleshy red that’s just right for burgers (Impossible or otherwise)? A tasty blend of syrah, zinfandel and cabernet franc.

88 points KM

Available at Smith & Devereax

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R. LÓPEZ DE HEREDIA VINÃ TONDONIA

“Vina Cubillo” Crianza 2010

(Rioja, Spain) $25

This is the steal of a lifetime from one of the best traditional estates in Rioja. Beautiful “old” aromas and flavors of earth, mushrooms, pipe tobacco, and saddle leather. Close your eyes, and it could be Burgundy.

90 points KM

Available at K&L Wine Merchants

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TENUTA DELLA TERRE NERE

"Etna Rosso" 2017

(Sicily, Italy) $22

A glass of this complex, balanced, beautiful wine, combined with a giant pan of lasagna is the best cure for Corona lockdown I’ve found yet. A really astounding nerello macalese, from a producer that was instrumental in saving that variety!

90 points TS

Available at Toast Wines By Taste

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LA CAÑA

Albariño 2019

(Rias Baixas, Galicia, Spain) $20

Lightly citrusy and peachy, with a nice sense of roundness. Fresh and simple.

88 points KM

Available at Vivino.com

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MARQUÉS DE CÁCERAS

Verdejo 2019

(Rueda, Spain) $9

Nine dollars! Verdejo has a flavor similar to sauvignon blanc, and if you like New Zealand SB, you’ll like this too.

88 points KM

Available at Vivino.com

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CASAL DE ARMÁN

“Eira dos Mouras” 2018

(Ribeiro, Galicia, Spain) $25

The name means “the medicine woman of the wine terraces,” and this fresh, peppery, spicy white made from treixadura grapes is fantastic and mouthwatering.

89 points KM

Available at The Underground Bottle Shop

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TELMO RODRIQUEZ

“Gaba do Xil” Godello 2018

(Valdeorras, Spain) $23

Godello, one of the greatest white grapes of Spain, has golden flavors, a wonderful peppery aliveness, and is incredibly juicy.

89 points KM

Available at Vivino.com