YOUR RESULTS for "Category: Gift Ideas"

Kermit Lynch tasting note:Very pure Sancerre aroma, generous, fresh, without grassy edges. The palate is expansive, then the nervosity makes its appearance and the finish is dry and lipsmackingly good. One of the things I love about it is that it leaves on the lips, not the palate, not the throat, but on your lips, a fresh little lemony whisper which makes it a fabulous complement to simple fish dishes.

Citrus and pear aromas with clean crisp minerality. The palate has great density and a rounder creamier style with apple and orchard fruit. This is fleshy and clearly comes from a warmer site in Chavignol.

This wine has great intensity and density with lightly spiced oak influence but not oaky or toasty. The palate has golden apple, cream and ripe pear with nice richness.

91 POINTS - Lively, with a tasty mix of yellow apple and yellow plum fruit flavors backed by honeysuckle and jasmine oil notes. Long, fresh and focused finish. -James Molesworth, Wine Spectator

The aromas in this wine are elegant with sweet oak, butter, vanilla, apple, pear and a whiff of smoke. The palate gives flavors of Asian pear, nectarine, white apple, and grilled peach, along with vanilla and butter. Any oak is elegant and tremendously well integrated; this is bright and clean with lovely minerality. A sensational effort that is well balanced and still exudes California style.

Hints of ripe and sweet pear and lemon are fresh and loaded in terms of the weight of this wine. This is concentrated and elegant with the acidity coming towards the end. This is incredibly reasonably priced because of it's mouthcoating texture and elegance.

70% Grenache, 14% Syrah, 15% Mourvedre, 1% Cinsault Whole cluster ferm, 12 mos age, 20% in new casks, 50% in 1-4 yr uses, 30% in concrete

Certified biodynamic 100% Pinot Noir 45+ year old vines Higher percentage of clay that comes from Clos de la Roche Indigenous yeast Aged in barrel (20% new) Unfined and unfiltered

This has some enticing and rustic scents that remind you on camping with a lumberjack. There is truffle, forest floor, light smoke, and leather but underneath these aromas are black and red cherries. The texture is supple, and balanced with ripe fruit and good juicy acidity that makes it very accessible.

This is an aromatically old world italian. This is classic rustic barn and earth but with some tart red fruit like cranberries and currants coming through. There is fresh red cherries, light floral notes of red roses and red raspberries. The palate matches its aromas with an almost orange zest note.  The tannins here are persistent, lingering and round. The acid is refreshing and balances nicely with the higher alcohol content. This wine could age an additional 20 years but it showing some complex notes already.  

Made in an Old World style with moderate extraction, this wine displays a balance of complex aromatics and flavors including plenty of ripe black fruits and candied fruits along with hints of sandalwood and earth.

This is such an appealing wine with aromas darker fruit than the last vintage with black fruits (currants, boysenberry, and blueberry) with a touch of florality spring from the nose of unique Mediterranean grape. The wine is medium weight with red and purple fruits, plums, blueberries and rose petals. It is fresh, unique, appealing, fragrant, food-friendly, soft and accessible. The tannins are light to medium weight with crisp acidity.

This wine is saturated and ripe with rounded texture and sophisticated tannins. The flavors are kirsch, raspberry and light black pepper.

Earthy aromas include bramble, mineral, garrigue, smoke, berry coolis and plum.  The palate is medium-plus in body with nice ripeness but not too heavy or overoaked. Flavors of red cherry and black currant, a touch of underbrush and black fruit supported by sleek slightly grippy tannins and juicy acidity lingering on the finish. This smells like an old underground cellar with still some tartness and violets. This wine would be an excellent gift or an alternative to a quality Cotes du Rhone.

This wine begins with dark, steeped berries encircling fireplace and pine forest aromas. in the mouth, it is creamy and full-flavored, exhibiting wild black currant and dark chocolate flavors mixed with sweet tobacco and black cherry candy. The wine envelops your whole mouth and glides down the throat, leaving a hint of smoke and mocha. First rate and drinking beautifully now, but will age through 2028.

Aromas of mountain herbs, smoke and red raspberry set the tone for this wine. It is round and rich in texture and highlighted by ripe, succulent fruit flavors including pomegranate, cranberry, and black cherry.

This is a nice value with great texture and ripe balance with flavors of blackberry and black currants with a long finish. Vibrant, with a fresh core of cherry and cassis notes backed by anise, apple wood and garrigue hints through the finish. Nice underlying juiciness throughout. Best from 2022 through 2029. 1,500 cases made, 160 cases imported. Wine Spectator – 92 points

One of the leading domaines in Bandol, Domaine Tempier is, without a doubt, the most visible producer from the appellation in the U.S. marketplace today. I think this is well-deserved (and a good thing for Bandol), as the wines are at the top of the hierarchy in terms of quality. The estate has been in the Peyraud family for generations and has a long, storied history that’s beautifully documented in Kermit Lynch’s newsletters and book, Adventures on the Wine Route (an absolute must read for any wine lover). The family is still going strong today, yet the wines are now made by Daniel Ravier. -Wine Advocate

Scorched earth and juicy black cherry frame this elegant and smoky wine with a concentrated medium plus frame and integrated structure.

Aromas of mulling spices and Moroccan souk spices combine with dark berries, tar and smoke to entice you to this Pinot Noir. It is between medium and full bodied with considerable concentration, yet it is not heavy. Macerated red and black cherries join pressed rose, mulling spices, bittersweet cacao nibs and a note of tar. The tannins are velvety and acid is integrated. With air, spiced black currants and smoke evolve on the long finish.

The nose of red cherry, truffle, rose and light earth is very enticing. The wine is medium weight with both black and red cherries intertwined with earth, steeped strawberries, wild raspberries and a touch of darjeeling tea. This has beautiful texture and though it is very flavorful, it remains elegant.

From the producer: Dark ruby-purple, this wine has deep, alluring aromas of blackcurrant and black plum that are layered with expressive notes of dark chocolate, espresso, and perfume of lavender. Supple, concentrated, and seamless, the palate displays vibrant fruit with undertones of tilled earth and sea salt. Firm, integrated tannins provide a structured backbone to the opulence of the wine, finishing with a lasting, powerful impression.

The aromas are dark and rich with black cherry, concentrated cassis and stewed black fruit with a mineral back bone and a hint of smoke. The palate is mineral and more tart red fruit with moderate acidity. Rich and plush, with concentrated cherry tart, plum pudding and dark currant flavors that are well-structured, showing cocoa powder and allspice accents on the open-textured finish. Drink now through 2025. – Wine Spectator, 91 Points

Deeper dark fruit notes like blackberry and and blackcap with earth, and tobacco. The palate has very fine tannin structure on a medium frame with medium acidity and similar fruit on the palate.

Aromas are of red cherry, black cherry, plum, prune, rosemary and cinnamon. The palate gives complex flavors that include black cap raspberries and blackberries, along with cinnamon and cedar spice, Italian herbs, wood notes and a sweet smokiness. The finish in this delicious "baby Barolo" is long and structured.

Aromas of cooked berries, cassis, dates, and wood spice blossom on the nose. The palate is concentrated and dense with cassis and toasty flavors. This wine is complex and has good texture and balance.

Fragrant notes of black caps and violets on the nose. The palate has nice richness and concentration with macerated raspberry and cherry flavors. The wine is savory and intense with baking spice and anise lingering on the longer finish.

Deep and brooding with black fruit, tobacco and dried herb notes on the nose. The palate continues with these--black currants and bittersweet chocolate stand out and are structured with juicy acidity and open-knit tannins. This wine is fleshy and silky, especially given some air. It's just right on every note, mixing savory with ripe. The more you think about it, the more you realize what a pleasure it is to drink this wine.

The nose gives aromas of red and black cherry, baked raspberry pie, cranberry, meat, garrigue and smoke. It smells Italian! The palate is medium weight with strawberries, berry seeds, violets, mineral and camp fire. It has a softer structure than you might expect from Nebbiolo, with integrated acidity and tannins. A long, balsamic finish completes the package.

Aromas are complex: deep red fruit joined by small black fruits; cedary with a touch of cigar box. The palate has good concentration, moderate acidity and fine tannins. This is a fairly powerful wine and yet fresh with flavors of black fruit layered with spice, chocolate and wet forest floor.

This wine is complex with rich aromatics of raspberry, red cherry, a touch of sassafras with old oak and pie crust. The aromas continue with forest floor, vanilla and cedar. The palate is equally attractive showing black pepper, dark earth, strawberry seeds and red peppercorns. This wine has lovely texture that is medium plus in body with slightly grippy tannins and a silky finish that has a hint of pressed flowers. This is tasty, pleasing and would make a wonderful gift.

Deeply fruited with red and black fruit, hint of wild herbs and lovely olive notes that rides some applewood smoke. Supple tannin and a stony finish with moderate acidity provide texture and offers enough delicacy that makes it easy to like. It is a plump wine that can be sipped casually or savored with heavier protein.

Big, bold, black fruit and cured meat make you think this wine is brooding. When tasted you realize it's elegance and overall well made style. It is medium plus in body with light smoke, light earth and dark juicy blackberry.

A typical profile for cabernet sauvignon yet enticingly rich and complex with blackcap, raspberry, and blueberry, cured meat, toast, and vanilla. The texture has lifted acidity, nice integrated tannins with flavors of cassis, elderberry, black cherry and older oak woodiness with baking spices.

This starts with classic Riesling aromas, including pear, apricot and light minerality. The palate is rich, creamy and well-balanced. Flavors of green apple, pear, and light florality come together on the off dry palate, leading to a long finish.

Nicely structured and well-balanced with apple and apple skin flavors combining with minerality in this vibrant, harmonious sparkler.

Round and clean with concentrated ripe fresh apple. This does not have much leesy or biscuit flavors but does have a round texture with pear and quince with minerality. This sparkling is very good and would work well if someone does not like champagne.

Clean, invigorating notes of silex on the nose showcase the limestone soils of the Rouanne vineyard. The aromas and flavors develop as the wines opens to reveal wild strawberry and fresh thyme – a complex and flavorful sparkling rosé.

This has a very nice, frothy mousse. It's more of a crisp, clean, minerally style, not very fruity, but not austere either. Notes of lemon, stone and biscuit can be found in this finely-textured, persistent Champagne.

Aromas of orchard fruit and minerals greet the nose. The wine is medium weight with orchard fruits, tart white fruits, citrus zest and stone. It is juicy, fresh and lively with a nice balance between fruitiness and minerality.

This recent additional to our cava lineup has bosc pear and yellow apple with light toasty notes that mix with an underlining floral aspect. The palate is slightly rounded with beeswax, wet stone and lemon rind. The palate does deliver more fruit like peach and quince with a mineral note lingering.

This winery is solar powered, This is a blend of five vintages from the Cotes de Bar and is 100% Chardonnay. This could be enjoyed by itself or with a meal because it is very versatile. Aromas of melon, brioche, and floral notes, apple flesh, baked biscuits, lemon peel and minerality. The palate is fruit forward but has notes of vanilla and honey. The texture has a bit of a prickle with refreshing star bright acidity. This is exceedingly pretty.

Concentrated aromas of apple, brioche, peaches, white raspberry, melon and poached pear that reminds one of a creamy apple tart with cream. The flavor is so creamy and good with apricot, butter cream, vanilla, with a soft mouse that prickles and lingers without being aggressive. There is some browned butter and membrillo jam on the finish.

From the producer: For those who do not like it dry, the Graham Beck Bliss Nectar Rosé is a fine excuse for self-indulgence and frivolity. Beautiful silver pink in colour with light yeasty aromas, hints of raspberry and strawberry, a touch of honeyed praline; this delectable bubbly will stimulate your sweeter senses. 

From Wine Spectator: A sleek Champagne, well-knit and enlivened by racy acidity, with the lacy mousse carrying flavors of crunchy green pear, smoked almond, toast point, preserved lemon and a minerally streak of saline on the finish. Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Disgorged January 2023. Drink now

This dessert wine gives luscious, sweet flavors such as candied peaches, honey, caramelized apples, tarte tatin and orange peel, along with attractive white flower and sage notes. It is not heavy, despite its ripeness and is immensely tasty!

This is a very good sweeter style sparkling sake and would be ideal with salty food. The nose presents cream, pineapple and lychee fruit. The palate is floral with pineapple, nectarine and rambutan with an off dry palate that also delivers vanilla and marshmallow.

Fruity yet delicate with pleasant aromas of green apple, pear and hints of anise. There are secondary notes of pear, mint, and bright tropical fruit. The palate has some sesame seed, meadow flowers and is very easy and pleasing. Smooth dry and light on entry with honeysuckle, minerality, creamy apple and a long finish. This delicious, organic junmai daiginjo sake is delicious with food.

This elegant 23-year aged rum offers flavors of apricot, orange, butterscotch, vanilla, caramel, nutmeg and baking spice. Complex, refined and intense, but not heavy or overly sweet. A delightful sipping rum!

Classic notes of juniper and cucumber with fresh lemon but delivery some white tropical fruits. The palate has some sweetness naturally from the honey but also black pepper, cardamom and finishes creamy.

This is a gorgeous gin for cold weather with Assam tea, wild apples and dehydrated pears. The palate has tart red fruit but also burnt orange, nutmeg, soft gingerbread and black pepper.

This alpine liquor is incredibly complex and contradictory. The aromatics deliver similar gin like notes with, coriander, mint, lemon, cilantro, sage and black pepper. When the palate hits the taster it is nothing like you expect, there is lychee, birch beer, marshmallow, forest floor, white pepper, and so much fresh green cues. This of things like fresh grass in the summer, parsley, roasted marshmallow and white pepper that are all very smooth and almost sweet.

Infused with at least 14 ingredients this hails from Germany to deliver spearmint, white pepper, dill and apricot with subtle floral notes. Explosiveness on the palate with poise and balance, clean and almost viscous with some heat like white pepper, the complexity of the flavors makes this more a moderator to cocktails than a sipping digestif.