As the calendar year draws to a close, we gather again—around the table, in conversation, and over the simple joy of sharing something meaningful. This collection was chosen for festive, friend-focused meals: bottles with enough presence for rich, comforting cuisine and the clarity to keep the focus on what’s shared. Together they offer four distinct expressions of place, balance, and craftsmanship—reminders of why we collect, taste, and share wine.
We begin with the 2024 Gehring “Roter Hang” Riesling, the second vintage after its remarkable 2022 debut. From the famed red slopes of Roter Hang in Germany’s Rheinhessen, this wine shows the purity and vitality that define top Riesling. Iron-tinged clay lends minerality and tension, while generous sunlight brings out citrus, nectarine, and floral notes. It balances freshness and depth—vivid, textured, and well suited to both casual sipping and thoughtful pairing. Tasting it so soon after release offers a rare chance to track its evolution and gauge its long-term potential.
From there, we return to a familiar friend with the 2023 Timbre Winery Pinot Noir, Riverbench Vineyard, from California’s Central Coast. Riverbench’s alluvial soils and cool Santa Maria breezes yield Pinot Noir of delicacy and depth. The 2023 growing season was steady and balanced, allowing slow ripening and excellent flavor development. Expect red berry fruit, cranberry, and baking spice lifted by a hint of the region’s subtle earthiness. Supple and beautifully proportioned, it offers immediate pleasure with the structure to age.
We turn to Bordeaux with the 2023 Château Tournebrise, Lalande de Pomerol—our second release from this estate. This vintage favors an elegant Right Bank style: deep Merlot fruit, a violet lift, and fine mineral lines, trading last year’s power for poise. Unusually approachable at this young age, it starts medium-bodied and gains shape with air, the polished tannins growing more seamless over the course of an evening. Its versatility makes it rewarding both now and with time in the cellar.
We close with a new addition to the Broad Brush family—and a rare mevushal option— from the hills of Sonoma: the 2023 Broad Brush “SORHONA Blend.” Built on Syrah with a few carefully chosen companions (we’ll keep some mystery here), it’s the densest wine in the lineup—dark, viscous, and still remarkably inviting. Black fruit, cocoa, and savory spice lead to a supple core that benefits from a brief decant, finishing long and composed. Arranged from lightest to most concentrated, it forms a fitting finale.
This release is about slowing down, tasting deliberately, and remembering that great wine is not only about discovery—it’s about participation. Pour the lighter bottles with lighter fare—Riesling with crisp salads, latkes, or roast chicken; Pinot Noir or Bordeaux alongside turkey, stuffing, and mushrooms—and save the deeper reds for braises, short ribs, and post-Thanksgiving leftovers that call for more grip. Think of it as a toolkit for the season: you set the menu, and the wines meet you there. We’ve sourced and curated; you bring them to life—opening, sharing, comparing, and finding new favorites. May these bottles fit naturally into your fall gatherings and carry good memories into the months ahead.
