Well, what do you know? Halloween finally falls on a Saturday night. And not just any Saturday night. It also happens that this year’s frightfest occurs on a Saturday night when my own little goblins are all grown up and either out of the trick-or-treat mode (“Dad, it’s so boring”) or able to run amok in the neighborhood without a parent lumbering a safe-but-discreet distance behind (“Dad, you’re not actually going to tag along, are you?”), snagging the Butterfingers and Snickers out of their little plastic pumpkins like a bizarre electromagnet, finely tuned to the frequency of miniature candy.
No, this year’s Halloween festivities actually can provide kids of all ages with an opportunity to create their very own night of costumed celebrations and magical mischief. And if you’re old enough, maybe even a little wine to boo’t. After all, Halloween is one of those nostalgic childhood experiences adults want to revisit each year, but careers and other “grown-up” obligations just seem to get in the way.
So this Halloween, the only treats in our house will be dressed as wine bottles, just waiting until the opportune time to jump out and seduce their unsuspecting victims with wonderful aromas and delightful flavors. Fortunately a few wine producers just happen to have the right wine to get you into the “spirit” of the occasion. And while I know that you can’t judge a trick-or-treater by his/her costume, or a wine by its label, here are a few tasty wines with appropriate names that will get you in the mood to waken the dead this Saturday night. Retail prices are approximate.
2006 Michael David Vineyards “Incognito” Viognier, Lodi, Calif. ($16)
Just for fun, put a bag over this bottle of white wine and serve it “incognito” to see if your guests can guess the grape varietal. They’ll be pleasantly surprised at the beautiful flavors of peach, apricot, pineapple and orange rind that glide over the palate. A touch of Roussanne and Marsanne are blended in to provide remarkable depth on the lengthy finish. A frightfully wonderful value.
2006 Michael David Vineyards “6th Sense” Syrah, Lodi, Calif. ($16)
Another masterful blend from the Lords of Lodi, the Phillips brothers produce a deep, brooding syrah with big, lush flavors of black cherry, dark plum, back raspberry and cocoa in harmony with the soft tannins. Small amounts of petite sirah and cabernet sauvignon round out a balanced finish where notes of black pepper and spice linger for over a minute. Scary good.
2007 Sleight of Hand “The Magician” Gewuerztraminer, Columbia Valley, Wash. ($17)
A Facebook acquaintance that shares my name as well as my love of wine turned me on to this great Gewuerztraminer. It has a remarkable nose featuring scents of acacia flowers, white peaches and sweet lychee nut. The slightly off-dry frame supports lush flavors of apple, nectarine and ripe peach across the entire palate. Hints of cocktail fruit syrup on the finish are kept clean and crisp by the abundant acidity. Now you see it, now you don’t.
2006 Hope & Grace “Sleepy Hollow” Pinot Noir, Santa Lucia Highlands, Calif. ($37)
The legend of Sleepy Hollow never tasted so good. The captivating nose is full of cherry, rose petals and wild strawberry scents. Bright flavors of cherry, raspberry, cocoa and cinnamon fall in layers over the entire palate while hints of roasted meat add complexity to the elegant finish. It’s almost enough to lose one’s head over.
2004 Gray Ghost Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve 2004 ($40), Amissville, Va.
This locally produced red wine is blended with small amounts of merlot and cabernet franc that adds solid depth and a Bordeauxesque character. The bouquet is full of red cherry, black plum and earthy tones while the palate plays host to blackberry, dark cherry and toasty oak undertones. Notes of black truffle and cedar sneak in on the back of the palate, contributing to a long and haunting finish.
2001 Trevor Jones Shiraz Wild Witch Reserve, Barossa Valley, Australia ($60)
No Halloween column would be complete without mentioning a witch — and this shiraz casts a wicked spell. Full-bodied yet remarkably seductive, the palate is covered with flavors of blackberry jam, blueberry liqueur and melted black licorice. The bewitching finish features sweet tannins that accent the notes of black pepper and dark chocolate.
2007 EMH “Black Cat” Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Calif. ($60)
What’s scary about this wine is how little of it is produced each year — a mere 140 cases. This ultradecadent cabernet is full of rich, ripe black fruit, including blackberry, black plum and dark chocolate. The superb balance keeps the fruit focused and finish long and luscious. Drinking as well as wines twice the price, this is one black cat whose path you’ll want to cross.
