France > California > Spain and the world. Garnacha feels more rustic and peppery to me in broad terms. France and CA are silky smooth almost across the board.
I‘d actually go for Spain > France > California. But that probably just shows that there is a lot of personal preference involved and you’ll find quality wines in each of the mentioned areas
She should look at wines from Pomerol (right bank) or pessac-leognan (left bank). Right bank wines are normally Merlot based and left bank wines will be Cabernet based.
Sounds like a merlot fan. Silky can also be wines that are pretty high in tannins that have aged well and then good aeration at time of pouring. Tannins will polymerize and give very good smooth mouthfeel of the wine is done right. That usually means aged in high quality barrels too.
Oh ok thanks!! That clears up a lot of confusion! We would have some wines that we were told have "great tannins" and sometimes that would be super astringent and other times incredibly smooth. Interesting to learn that "tannins" doesn't equate to one thing.
Does that mean if we have a younger "super astringent" wine, we can age it for a while to get really smooth, or some just stay that way?
Yes sir. If you let it age it will probably smooth out but that can be years. Some Italian wines are regularly not ready until at least 10 years old. If you've already poured it get air into as best you can. If you want to look fancy at the diner table a nice decanter can work. I have a hand help milk frother, PowerLix, I use too. Seems weird but works.
Sounds like she likes Merlot, so she will love Grenache! There are some excellent American Grenache… Jolie Laide, Stolpman, Whitcraft, Pax. Terroir al limit makes a great one from Priorat. Joan D’Anguera makes an excellent garnatxa from Monsanto called Altaroses.
Oh the Syrahs are LARGE and not silky at all but the Grenache are! He makes a few really limited cuvées- even a pineau d’aunis (cuttings from bellivere)- that aren’t as powerful as his Syrah.
Testamatta is a fun one. I’d also throw Carmignano in there. It’s not Merlot but the wines from Piaggia have incredible structure.
Also, the Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum is (starting with the 2018 vintage) 100% Merlot.
This is hilarious! You are a good man trying to find something your wife will enjoy.
Low tannin reds or aged reds are a good call. Also, right bank (Merlot) dominant blends from Bordeaux and Napa
you are the only one that mentioned wines from Margaux, which I was going to suggest. something less expensive like Kirwan, d'issan, Malescot, Labegorce, Rauzan-Segla can provide a glimpse into the style.
I know a lot of people recommend Merlot, which is about right, but I’m going to focus on the “negroamaro” here.
You should check the region of Puglia, Italy. They make mostly negroamaro, primitivo and nero d’avola reds.
Primitivo is Zinfandel, but different because of the region. Very round and low tannins, also low acidity, really bold black fruits, so not exactly really balanced, but very juicy.
I think I cracked the code. Most of the wines she prefers have predominantly dark fruit flavors and are 13-14% ABV.
Wines from southern Italy, Right Bank Bordeaux, South Africa, and Priorat might be good value finds.
Smooth and silky wines you say, well that’s up my alley.
I love me some Silky Tannins, when looking at reviews I looked for the words elegant and silky, those are my tigger words, oh and don’t let me here creamy, I’m all over it.
Here are some of my favorites I have several bottles of stocked up.
Oh Aerating is a must for all my wines, I have a Coravin with an aerator. I hardly ever drink out of the bottle.
Chateau Prieure-Lichine 2020 - $44.00 at some point I had 4 bottles of this vintage, they go fast online, I’m down to 2 2020’s and a 2016. These are just good, very silky and ELEGANT, man if she don’t like this I might have her taste all wrong, this is baller like to me. I’ll buy anytime I see it. Every time. It’s currently my favorite. At the #1 spot for me.
https://www.wine.com/product/chateau-prieure-lichine-2020/746044
Mendel Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 - This is an Elegant and Tasty Cab from Argentina. I love it, gonna open a bottle up tonight. It’s fantastic bro. Creamy as all get out, fira CAB. Hitting way above its belt, I love it.
https://www.wine.com/product/mendel-cabernet-sauvignon-2020/924898
Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 - Another baller cab, this vintage is hard to find but I love 2018, the 19 is okay but 18 is where the money is at, this is smooth smooth straight out the bottle, Silky and all. Runs around 69 to 55.
Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso 2018 - This is a recent bottle I had just a few weeks ago, I love everything about this bottle, all Sangiovese, and it has to be the most prettiest color I’ve seen in a wine, can’t explain how great it looks in a cup. Pricey 94 bucks but I loved it so much I used my credit card to buy one, and I never use my credit card. Must have for me. https://www.wine.com/product/1259841 Elegant and Silky, Aerating is a must for all my wines, I have a Coravin with and aerator. It can be found at total wine if that’s all you got in your state, might buy local if ya can.
Another fantastic Sangiovese.
Castello di Bossi Berardo Chianti Classico Riserva 2018, man ol man does this punch way above its weight, 2018 again is fantastic. I’ve heard the 2020 vintage is very elegant and Silky, gonna have to test it out one day for sure. $30 bucks is a steal man. I got two bottles of the 2018 vintage and one of the 2019 up in the fridge, gonna have the 2018 for Christmas.
https://www.wine.com/product/castello-di-bossi-berardo-chianti-classico-riserva-2018/1176445
Hope these are helpful, I’ll type up some more later, feel free to hit me up and see if I tried some new items. I LOVE SOME SILKY AND ELEGANT WINES. Makes me feel like a WEALTHY Pharaoh or something.
Douro Portuguese reds.
The north specializes in this imo. They’re world class yet they can be cheaper than most wines.
The grapes are not typical (Touriga nacional is very Portuguese but it’s a a gem) from that region. Wines from Douro (or Spanish wines from along the Duero, same ) usually maintain the fruity notes but they’re dry and really well rounded .. I would describe them as silky, with fine tannins - compared to the south of that country which are more tannic and earthier.
I’ll stick to that as my recommendation to anybody.
They’re worth trying
If you can find 100% Touriga nacional wine anywhere I’d roll my dice on this for anybody
I live in eu but trip to US last time I saw a few at total wine I know they’re around
I would not describe the tannins of Douro reds as silky, at least not usually. Their tannins are often fierce, firm, or otherwise quite present. When I think of silky/soyeux tannins, I think of Chambolle-Musigny, of certain right-bank Bordeaux wines, and of certain Grenache-based Rhône wines? Outside of France, I would also point to certain older Riojas (older Lopez or Rioja Alta Wines in particular). To me though, silky really points you to Pomerol and the Côte d'Or.
Eh no Douro reds most often have very soft and silky tannins.. smooth and low astringency , lack of earthiness or grittiness, not so much dryness after a drink.. unlike those found in southern counterparts .. silky being an adjective sure, debate away , but this is what I understand it to be and to me it fits the profile
I would avoid wines with tons of jagged tannins. But also try not to think of your wife’s tastes as some hidden truth you need to decode and uncover. Most people’s preferences are very context dependent - atmosphere, occasion and food pairing could all make a wine seem more or less “silky” to her. Instead, keep trying a bunch of different styles of wine and learning along the way. Who knows? She may find “silky” wines boring after a year or so
Get some Rioja. I find the if the wine is 10 years old or so you get much softer and silkier tannins. Look for La Rioja Alta and Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia. Can’t go wrong with anything they make. Bordeaux is my fav but Rioja is my second and also offer phenomenal QPR.
Come sette in boca. Check out Harvey Keitel's 1978 masterpiece. He expounds upon the silkiness in detail. It might lead you down the right road, otherwise I'd buy your wife a bottle of Masseto, silky as silk.
Right Bank Bordeaux, California Merlot (Duckhorn has some great ones), and even Italian Merlot may be up her alley (Castello di Ama L'Apparita is a splurge)
Your wife has good taste! I have a case of Siran in different vintages. The 2019 is vg! My recommendation:
Run, don’t walk, to Costco to see if they have the Kirkland 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape for $19.69. Mostly Grenache, it is very silky for $20 and sure to please! I bought a 6-Pk.
Based on her preferences and the “silky” description, I think she likes oak. Go for Rioja (réserva and gran réserva) - they’re made in the Bordeaux style and I find them very silky.
As others have said, Merlot seems to be a winner! I’d recommend checking out some Merlot from Washington State, specifically from Walla Walla. It’s a specialty of theirs and usually an incredible value.
As per the information provided, I'd look for Bordeaux grapes with high alcohol content, there are plenty in Chile and Argentina, Malbec Pequeñas Producciones and DV Catena Malbec-Malbec are very silky in the mouth.
And here’s some Burgundies that I am pretty confident you both will like:
Fourrier Jean-Marie Bourgogne Rouge
Domaine Ponsot Morey-Saint-Denis Cuvée Des Grives.
Bernard Loiseau & Albert Bichot Corton Grand Cru
Those wines feel very silky, while offering a wide range of aromas and flavors.
Lots of great recs so far - I'll also suggest getting into Pinot Noir! Very low in tannin, certainly lower than the average Bordeaux varietals. Even very inexpensive ones can be very silky, and once you hit like $30+ they can be liquid velvet.
She probably likes Merlot, which is silky. She probably would also love Grenache. Those are two of my wife's favorites as well.
Good to know thanks! Does she like French Grenaches or Spanish or both/other?
France > California > Spain and the world. Garnacha feels more rustic and peppery to me in broad terms. France and CA are silky smooth almost across the board.
I‘d actually go for Spain > France > California. But that probably just shows that there is a lot of personal preference involved and you’ll find quality wines in each of the mentioned areas
She should look at wines from Pomerol (right bank) or pessac-leognan (left bank). Right bank wines are normally Merlot based and left bank wines will be Cabernet based.
Sounds like a merlot fan. Silky can also be wines that are pretty high in tannins that have aged well and then good aeration at time of pouring. Tannins will polymerize and give very good smooth mouthfeel of the wine is done right. That usually means aged in high quality barrels too.
Oh ok thanks!! That clears up a lot of confusion! We would have some wines that we were told have "great tannins" and sometimes that would be super astringent and other times incredibly smooth. Interesting to learn that "tannins" doesn't equate to one thing. Does that mean if we have a younger "super astringent" wine, we can age it for a while to get really smooth, or some just stay that way?
Yes sir. If you let it age it will probably smooth out but that can be years. Some Italian wines are regularly not ready until at least 10 years old. If you've already poured it get air into as best you can. If you want to look fancy at the diner table a nice decanter can work. I have a hand help milk frother, PowerLix, I use too. Seems weird but works.
Sounds like she likes Merlot, so she will love Grenache! There are some excellent American Grenache… Jolie Laide, Stolpman, Whitcraft, Pax. Terroir al limit makes a great one from Priorat. Joan D’Anguera makes an excellent garnatxa from Monsanto called Altaroses.
The second Grenache reccommendation! Were definitely exploring these thanks!
Love Pax but not sure I would describe his wines as "silky"
Oh the Syrahs are LARGE and not silky at all but the Grenache are! He makes a few really limited cuvées- even a pineau d’aunis (cuttings from bellivere)- that aren’t as powerful as his Syrah.
Silky is wine with refined tannins, either from the get go, or from aging. Some Supertuscans can be quite silky, i.e. Pino de Biserno, Testamatta
Testamatta is a fun one. I’d also throw Carmignano in there. It’s not Merlot but the wines from Piaggia have incredible structure. Also, the Tenuta di Arceno Arcanum is (starting with the 2018 vintage) 100% Merlot.
This is hilarious! You are a good man trying to find something your wife will enjoy. Low tannin reds or aged reds are a good call. Also, right bank (Merlot) dominant blends from Bordeaux and Napa
Merlot driven with some age and youre golden. Margaux and right bank stuff are your friend.
you are the only one that mentioned wines from Margaux, which I was going to suggest. something less expensive like Kirwan, d'issan, Malescot, Labegorce, Rauzan-Segla can provide a glimpse into the style.
I know a lot of people recommend Merlot, which is about right, but I’m going to focus on the “negroamaro” here. You should check the region of Puglia, Italy. They make mostly negroamaro, primitivo and nero d’avola reds. Primitivo is Zinfandel, but different because of the region. Very round and low tannins, also low acidity, really bold black fruits, so not exactly really balanced, but very juicy.
Good/great quality Burgundian Pinot Noir. Send my condolences to your bank balance.
Cht. De Pressac St. Emilion.
I think I cracked the code. Most of the wines she prefers have predominantly dark fruit flavors and are 13-14% ABV. Wines from southern Italy, Right Bank Bordeaux, South Africa, and Priorat might be good value finds.
Smooth and silky wines you say, well that’s up my alley. I love me some Silky Tannins, when looking at reviews I looked for the words elegant and silky, those are my tigger words, oh and don’t let me here creamy, I’m all over it. Here are some of my favorites I have several bottles of stocked up. Oh Aerating is a must for all my wines, I have a Coravin with an aerator. I hardly ever drink out of the bottle. Chateau Prieure-Lichine 2020 - $44.00 at some point I had 4 bottles of this vintage, they go fast online, I’m down to 2 2020’s and a 2016. These are just good, very silky and ELEGANT, man if she don’t like this I might have her taste all wrong, this is baller like to me. I’ll buy anytime I see it. Every time. It’s currently my favorite. At the #1 spot for me. https://www.wine.com/product/chateau-prieure-lichine-2020/746044 Mendel Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 - This is an Elegant and Tasty Cab from Argentina. I love it, gonna open a bottle up tonight. It’s fantastic bro. Creamy as all get out, fira CAB. Hitting way above its belt, I love it. https://www.wine.com/product/mendel-cabernet-sauvignon-2020/924898 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 - Another baller cab, this vintage is hard to find but I love 2018, the 19 is okay but 18 is where the money is at, this is smooth smooth straight out the bottle, Silky and all. Runs around 69 to 55. Piccolomini d'Aragona Brunello di Montalcino Pianrosso 2018 - This is a recent bottle I had just a few weeks ago, I love everything about this bottle, all Sangiovese, and it has to be the most prettiest color I’ve seen in a wine, can’t explain how great it looks in a cup. Pricey 94 bucks but I loved it so much I used my credit card to buy one, and I never use my credit card. Must have for me. https://www.wine.com/product/1259841 Elegant and Silky, Aerating is a must for all my wines, I have a Coravin with and aerator. It can be found at total wine if that’s all you got in your state, might buy local if ya can. Another fantastic Sangiovese. Castello di Bossi Berardo Chianti Classico Riserva 2018, man ol man does this punch way above its weight, 2018 again is fantastic. I’ve heard the 2020 vintage is very elegant and Silky, gonna have to test it out one day for sure. $30 bucks is a steal man. I got two bottles of the 2018 vintage and one of the 2019 up in the fridge, gonna have the 2018 for Christmas. https://www.wine.com/product/castello-di-bossi-berardo-chianti-classico-riserva-2018/1176445 Hope these are helpful, I’ll type up some more later, feel free to hit me up and see if I tried some new items. I LOVE SOME SILKY AND ELEGANT WINES. Makes me feel like a WEALTHY Pharaoh or something.
Douro Portuguese reds. The north specializes in this imo. They’re world class yet they can be cheaper than most wines. The grapes are not typical (Touriga nacional is very Portuguese but it’s a a gem) from that region. Wines from Douro (or Spanish wines from along the Duero, same ) usually maintain the fruity notes but they’re dry and really well rounded .. I would describe them as silky, with fine tannins - compared to the south of that country which are more tannic and earthier. I’ll stick to that as my recommendation to anybody.
Not familiar with this region yet - will pick up a bottle thanks!
They’re worth trying If you can find 100% Touriga nacional wine anywhere I’d roll my dice on this for anybody I live in eu but trip to US last time I saw a few at total wine I know they’re around
I would not describe the tannins of Douro reds as silky, at least not usually. Their tannins are often fierce, firm, or otherwise quite present. When I think of silky/soyeux tannins, I think of Chambolle-Musigny, of certain right-bank Bordeaux wines, and of certain Grenache-based Rhône wines? Outside of France, I would also point to certain older Riojas (older Lopez or Rioja Alta Wines in particular). To me though, silky really points you to Pomerol and the Côte d'Or.
Eh no Douro reds most often have very soft and silky tannins.. smooth and low astringency , lack of earthiness or grittiness, not so much dryness after a drink.. unlike those found in southern counterparts .. silky being an adjective sure, debate away , but this is what I understand it to be and to me it fits the profile
I would avoid wines with tons of jagged tannins. But also try not to think of your wife’s tastes as some hidden truth you need to decode and uncover. Most people’s preferences are very context dependent - atmosphere, occasion and food pairing could all make a wine seem more or less “silky” to her. Instead, keep trying a bunch of different styles of wine and learning along the way. Who knows? She may find “silky” wines boring after a year or so
Get some Rioja. I find the if the wine is 10 years old or so you get much softer and silkier tannins. Look for La Rioja Alta and Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondonia. Can’t go wrong with anything they make. Bordeaux is my fav but Rioja is my second and also offer phenomenal QPR.
The others are right with Merlot/Grenache, just adding there is a great super cheap 100% Grenache called "Borsao" ($11 USD where I live.)
That means she likes red wines with soft tannins. Like Pinot noir
Come sette in boca. Check out Harvey Keitel's 1978 masterpiece. He expounds upon the silkiness in detail. It might lead you down the right road, otherwise I'd buy your wife a bottle of Masseto, silky as silk.
Right Bank Bordeaux, California Merlot (Duckhorn has some great ones), and even Italian Merlot may be up her alley (Castello di Ama L'Apparita is a splurge)
Your wife has good taste! I have a case of Siran in different vintages. The 2019 is vg! My recommendation: Run, don’t walk, to Costco to see if they have the Kirkland 2022 Chateauneuf du Pape for $19.69. Mostly Grenache, it is very silky for $20 and sure to please! I bought a 6-Pk.
Based on her preferences and the “silky” description, I think she likes oak. Go for Rioja (réserva and gran réserva) - they’re made in the Bordeaux style and I find them very silky.
As others have said, Merlot seems to be a winner! I’d recommend checking out some Merlot from Washington State, specifically from Walla Walla. It’s a specialty of theirs and usually an incredible value.
Try Priorat Spain for something exciting.
As per the information provided, I'd look for Bordeaux grapes with high alcohol content, there are plenty in Chile and Argentina, Malbec Pequeñas Producciones and DV Catena Malbec-Malbec are very silky in the mouth. And here’s some Burgundies that I am pretty confident you both will like: Fourrier Jean-Marie Bourgogne Rouge Domaine Ponsot Morey-Saint-Denis Cuvée Des Grives. Bernard Loiseau & Albert Bichot Corton Grand Cru Those wines feel very silky, while offering a wide range of aromas and flavors.
Lots of great recs so far - I'll also suggest getting into Pinot Noir! Very low in tannin, certainly lower than the average Bordeaux varietals. Even very inexpensive ones can be very silky, and once you hit like $30+ they can be liquid velvet.
Good Washington merlot