Where to Buy Winter Wines in Phoenix AZ

Advice for Long Winter Nights

Now that the parties are over and all of those wonderful excuses for buying and uncorking the good stuff have fallen away, and all you're left with is the rest of January and all of February to face.  It can be a brutal time.  Even if winter's cold index isn't on par this year, those long dark nights don't change; an early twilight can feel like a door coming down on your day.  If you're like me, your time at home becomes more precious and comforting. 

I look for comfort on my wine rack, too.  It's usually red; most of the whites are tucked away for a winter's nap; not that there's never an occasion to drink them, but I find I'm not often in the mood.  The reds tend to be dark, warm-toned, generous and satisfying, wines that fill out an evening or cradle a meal.  And the ones I reach for are generally undemanding and open-handed, their pleasures lie in their modesty and simplicity.  It doesn't hurt that they're re not pricey. 
Below, please find a wine suggestion or two that might bring a little cheer to the dark corners of mid-winter. 

Along with Thanksgiving, Beaujolais Nouveau is like a herald of winter and of the holiday season.  But while Beaujolais Nouveau might be fun for a swig or two, often it feels silly and untethered; the fruit is so frisky it hardly seems like there's a wine there.  Not so with cru-bottlings of Beaujolais.  Even with only a few months of age, proper cru-Beaujolais from Morgon or Moulin-a-Vent can smell and taste youthful, but they're typically grounded by soft acids and a mildly persistent, enduring minerality.  And for the dark nights of winter, no wine is sunnier than Beaujolais; its flavors of red berry and earth are irrepressibly cheery and versatile with winter foods, including everything from roast chicken to a hearty stew.
Specific Recommendations (with full reviews below):
2005 Jadot Chateau de Jacques Moulin a Vent, about $25
2005 Trenel Cote du Py Morgon, about $18

Zinfandel offers similar pleasures, but has a bit more meat on its bones and considerably more heft to gird a hearty meal.  Zinfandel's tannins can be formidable, but in a well made wine, those are sleekly presented in a cushion of dark purple fruit, which makes it satisfying on its own or substantial enough for any winter supper.  Few wines, in fact, are better with long-simmered meats, enveloping complex flavors with a unique combination of fruit and tannin.  Choose something that isn't screaming with alcohol, an unfortunate trend that tends to scorch or distort the flavors. 
Recommendations:
2004 Vie Napa Valley Howell Mountain Beatty Ranch Vineyard Zinfandel, about $29
2004 Dashe Dry Creek Valley Zinfandel, about $22

Or try a Cabernet from the Napa Valley.  I know, that's not a reach, but in recent years, with their prices and ripeness levels approaching ludicrous levels, it seems they've fallen out of...