By: Karl Furem, Wine Manager Beverage Superstore
It’s that time of year again. The temperature is dropping, football is in full swing, and the holidays are right around the corner. That’s right, time to get ready for parties, dinners, and gifts. A good bottle of wine makes the perfect gift for the host of a dinner or party, or for that person who already seems to have everything. Now comes the hard part, what bottle to get for them? Well, let us help you with that. These bottles are in the right price range for a nice, thoughtful gift and worthy of any true wine lovers’ palate.
Orin Swifts 2013 ‘Mannequin’
This is a white blend with grapes sourced from Carneros and Sonoma, with a composition that is 76% Chardonnay, 8% viognier, 6% Marsanne, 5% Grenache Blanc, 3% Muscat, and 2% Roussanne. The best way to describe this one is to quote the internationally acclaimed and most influential wine critic, Robert Parker. “This is amazing wine, a gorgeous, full-throttle, honeyed wine with a light gold color, oodles of tropical fruits including pineapple and mango, rose petal and floral notes, and beautifully integrated oak.” This one will definitely be a winner at $32.99 a bottle.
Beaux Frères Willamette Valley 2014 Pinot Noir
This is both a big and complex Pinot Noir. On the nose you will experience a rich fragrance of sweet dark cherries, baking spices and sandalwood. It pours a dark ruby purple and as soon as you take a sip you are immersed in decadent flavors of black raspberries, blueberries, and currants. This particular wine stems from one of Oregon’s best growing seasons and only a very limited number of cases were produced. If you get this one for a gift definitely get one for yourself as well. $59.99 a bottle.
Leviathan Red Blend
This big, full-bodied red is a blend of 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Merlot, 14% Syrah, and 25% Cabernet Franc. This blend is very rich and smooth, with hints of black cherry, raspberry, and spice. The tannins are supple and the finish is a lingering affair that leaves you longing for the next sip. This wine captures the essence and flavor of a great California vintage and sells for an incredibly reasonable price of $34.99 a bottle.
2012 Domaine Du Vieux Lazaret Chateauneuf-Du-Pape
Let’s jump across the ocean to the Rhône wine region of Southern France for this next one. This one makes a great choice for a dinner party, because it will pair nicely with many holiday dishes. Its deep red color leads to aromas of dark fruit, vanilla and spice. It is full-bodied and bursting with cherry, blackberry, and a bit of mocha. Nice tannins lead to a lingering enjoyable finish. At $29.99 a bottle, it’s an easy winner.
