‘Tis the season to be jolly. And if there is a wine lover on your gift list, you have an opportunity to bring a great deal of jolly into his or her celebratory wine glass.
But figuring out what type of wine the connoisseur in your life wants can be a challenge. Even we disagree on the type of wine we’d each like to receive. So, in the spirit of promoting wine harmony, we each offer our own wish list of fantasy wines. Retail prices are approximate.
He Said
My favorite way to drink great wine is with a great meal, so when I think about the perfect wine, I want it to be food-friendly. It doesn’t matter whether I’m having tuna steak or beef steak, I want a wine that will sing with my supper. Here’s my ideal “soup-to-nuts” wine menu.
2004 Pahlmeyer Chardonnay, Napa Valley, California ($80 – available at MacArthur Beverages in Washington)
This chardonnay is so rich and thick, you need to drink it with a fork. Loaded with beautiful flavors of pear, honeysuckle and citrus notes wrapped around a wonderful mineral core and an ultra-long, elegant finish. The textured flavors in this wine beg for warm lobster bisque on a cold night.
2003 Maison Champy Premier Cru “Les Champs Pimont,” Beaune, France ($50 – available at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill)
A lovely red Burgundy that drinks like wines twice the price. A seductive nose of roast meats and black cherries leads to pretty flavors of strawberry, raspberries and cocoa on the palate. The firm structure and focused finish could use an hour or two in the decanter before serving with sushi-grade seared tuna.
1990 Lafitte Rothschild, Pauillac, France ($450 – available at Total Wine and More in McLean)
Yes, I know it’s expensive. But if you want to give a truly memorable gift, this is it. Amazing aromas of ripe plums, leather, earth and whispers of crème de cassis seduce the nose. Flavors of plum, berries, tobacco, pencil shavings and hints of tar seem to be light and rich on the tongue at the same time. The long, long finish simply takes one’s breath away. Pair it with medium-rare double-cut lamb chops for a sublime experience.
1999 Chateau d’Yquem, Sauternes, France ($100 for a half bottle – available at Total Wine and More in McLean)
Like drinking nectar. This famous dessert wine exudes a luxurious bouquet of apricot and honeysuckle. The deliciously sweet-but-not-cloying flavors of caramel apples, apricot and hints of honeyed pecans slide over the tongue like velvet. A true inspiration to enjoy with fresh pecan pie.
She Said
I am all about mood. When I come home from work or I am out with friends, I think: “What am I in the mood to drink?” So I want to get (or give) a wine that can be enjoyed on its own. Here are my favorites.
1995 Ellner Champagne, Epernay, France ($80 – on sale at Schneider’s of Capitol Hill)
When I feel like celebrating, nothing gets an evening off on the right foot like vintage Champagne. The Ellner has loads of delicious, ripe Granny Smith apples wrapped around a core of mineral notes. The plentiful, tiny bubbles deliver the flavors in grand style while the tight, crisp finish keeps your palate refreshed.
2005 Two Hands Sophie’s Garden Shiraz, Padthaway, Australia ($60 – on sale at Paul’s Liquors in Washington)
When I want to just hang by the fireplace at home on a cold night, this big shiraz takes the chill off. Scents of black cherry, baked blackberries and mint warm the nose while rich crème de cassis and ripe black fruit flavors give the tongue something to cheer about. The long, peppery finish is smooth and round in the mouth. Throw it in the decanter and get the fire going.
2002 Shafer Hillside Select Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley ($350 – available at MacArthur’s and The Wine Specialist, both in DC)
Pricey for a California cabernet, but we are flirting with perfection here. If I’m in the mood for romance, this is the wine to kick off (or end) the night with. I call this a “Brad Pitt” wine because it’s big, rich and powerful and tough to find. The intoxicating nose features scents of violets, mint and cassis that meld seamlessly with intense flavors of blackberries, crème de cassis and vanilla bean. Hints of yummy dark chocolate on the well-integrated finish make this wine a girl’s best friend. Good now, but if you have patience, hang on to it for a few years.
Do you have a favorite royalty of wine? E-mail me at scott@vineguy.com.
