Wines by One of our Favorite Ladies Over Fifty

                                                                         

 Blackbird Vineyards

Have you ever wondered what wine Oprah would drink? (We have!)

Well, the January 2011 issue of O Magazine  (her namesake monthly) -- on newsstands now -- reveals this deet. She gives the thumb's up, via her "O List Holiday Guide," to Napa-based Blackbird Vineyards. A relatively new winery (2003 was the first vintage), its focus is on Pomerol-style wines like those produced in Bordeaux, France.

What Oprah gives her props to from this winery is its Flock Box Collection ($48), essentially a sampler set of six Blackbird wines (50 mL each). It includes: 2009 "Arriviste" Napa Valley Rosé; and five proprietary red wines from the 2006, 2007 and 2008 vintages ("Arise," "Paramour," "Contrarian" and "Illustration").

And because a bottle from this winery (with the exception of the "Arriviste" Rosé, the most affordable option at $24) is going to set you back between $50 and $90, this is actually a steal. It's also a rare offering since many of the vintages are sold out, and are typically allocated to private customers and fine-dining restaurants, as well as celebrity-attended events. Two of the wines ("Arriviste" and "Arise") were poured at the Vanity Fair party as part of the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival (Woody Allen, Bono, Spike Lee and Kanye West were at the bash).

We knew we could count on Oprah to tip her hat to a good deal on a rare offering! Wine critics like Blackbird wines, too. The 2007 "Illustration" ($90), for instance, which is in the Flock Box Collection, earned 97 points from Wine Enthusiast Magazine.

                                                                       Article by Kristine Hansen 

Ladies.....What is your favorite wine?