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‘Tis the season to pamper loved ones or clients with an elegant (and easy!) holiday wine gift. From winning winter whites to tasting kits, and luxurious reds, below, we’re uncorking our recommended finds.
For the White Wine Lovers
Benovia 2023 Russian River Valley Chardonnay, California
The chardonnay aficionado on your list will relish this lively medium-bodied wine bursting with notes of citrus blossom, yellow melon and white peach ($48).
Roué 2022 Lake County Organic Sauvignon Blanc, California
Tropical guava, passion fruit and pineapple will ignite the palate, finishing crisp and refreshing. No question, the bottle is utterly gift-worthy ($39)!
Lail 2024 Blueprint Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
Known for exceptional and intense sauvignon blancs, count on Lail to deliver creamy texture and crispness along with hints of tart green apple, pear and melon flavors ($60).
For the Adventurous Palate
Cuvaison Small Lot Tasting Kit
These pint-sized bottles of chardonnay, sauvignon blanc and pinot noir make a fun gift for those yearning for the Napa Valley winery experience ($65).
Matthews 2021 Claret Columbia Valley, Washington State
A blend of petit verdot, malbec, merlot, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon grapes make for a lush red Bordeaux-inspired wine ($55).
Syncline 2022 Gamay Noir, Columbia Gorge
Here’s another adventurous wine that is light and fruity with all holiday foods ($45).
Rombauer Vineyards Life of the Party Gift Set
Two is always better than one, and this pack holds a bottle of the iconic Rombauer 2024 Carneros Chardonnay and 2023 Zinfandel plus two stemless wine glasses ($125).
Brassfield Estate Winery 2022 Eruption, California
This wine crafted from California’s Volcano Ridge, boasts a fragrant and rich blend of malbec, syrah, mourvedre, grenache, zinfandel and petite sirah ($28).
Winemaker and Texan Rob Lloyd crafts bold wines (2023 chardonnay, pinot noir and sauvignon blanc) from top California vineyards like San Giacomo in Carneros and James Reamer in Clarksburg ($42-$50).
For the Cabernet Connoisseurs
Chappellet 2022 Pritchard Hill Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Here’s a highly impressive bottling with a weighty palate of luxurious layers – think dark berry compote, chocolate, anise, wood smoke and sage. A must for the VIP or VSP ($325).
Inglenook 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Splurge on this classic expression of the famed Rutherford Bench flaunting vibrant red fruit, cedar wood, baking spices and vanilla. Its bright acidity leads to a long impressively balanced finish ($100).
Arkenstone 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
Crafted with grapes from three renown vineyard sites, anticipate an opulent palate full of dark red and black fruit, crushed stone, and savory undertones ($125).
Grounded 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon California
Here’s a solid, carefully oaked wine with balanced flavors and tannins that is so affordable, you can buy it by the case ($18). Cheers to that!
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Cover Photo Texas Fine Wine
Robin Barr Sussman (rbs@pdq.net) is a freelance culinary and travel writer who studied at the Culinary Institute of America Greystone, Calif. As a chef for Sonoma County wineries, her specialty was food and wine pairing. Sussman is a columnist for Houston Modern Luxury Magazine, Prime Living and Houston House & Home. Her work also appears in Texas Monthly, Fodor’s, Bluejack National, and Private Clubs Magazine.
