And don’t forget, if you are really stuck, you can always give a Springhill gift card in any amount.
Gifts over $200
Joseph Phelps Insignia Red Wine 2005: This is one of the highest rated wines to come out of California. It is a blend of 92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 7% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec. This wine is rich and dense, with chocolaty cassis notes intermixed with hints of subtle wood, roasted herbs, and spice. It is ripe, rich, and full-bodied. This wine is made for collectors. It should last for 25-30 years. $229.09
Penfolds Grange South Austrailian Shiraz 2001: This is arguably one of Australia’s most famous wines and it is officially listed as a Heritage Icon of South Australia. It is deep red in color with notes of blue fruit, sweet soy, cola, and quince paste on the nose. Dark and liqueur chocolate, laced with Moroccan spices complement the pronounced tannins that sweep across the palate. Although they are certainly part of the wine, they are never obtrusive. Long, layered and compelling, this wine is at the spicier end of the Grange spectrum. $224.99
Opus One 2005: This wine is a bright ruby red with rather wild, claret-like aromas of currant, black raspberry, leather, dark chocolate, spices and tobacco. Its velvety texture is juicy and firmly structured, with mouth-coating flavors of dark berries, bitter cherry, minerals, cola, and bitter chocolate. This elegantly styled wine really coats the mouth without coming off as overly sweet. Finishes with a noteworthy spine and length. $205.39
Gifts between $100 and $199
Caymus Vineyards Special Section Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2005: According to the Wine Advocate: A barrel sample of the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Special Selection offers terrific fruit intensity and purity, a more laid-back style, a meaty, chewy texture, and impressive opulence as well as length. It should evolve for 10-15 years. $169.59
Beaulieu Vineyard Georges de Latour Private Reserve cabernet Sauvignon 2005: Classic structured, firm, and soft at the same time with a creamy mouthfeel. The depth of blackberries, cherries and currants is unreal and persistent. This is one for the cellar and will age for at least a decade and probably far longer. Try to keep your hands off it until after 2011. $102.69
Perrier Jouet Fleur De Champagne 1996 Hand-painted Gift Set: This is a great gift for that special person in your life. A blend of approximately half Chardonnay and half Pinot Noir this crystal bright, light-bodied Champagne is elegant and distinctive. Opening with aromas of fresh pineapple, lemon and white florals, warming into complex scents of pear. A rich bouquet of white fruits end in subtle notes of honey and vanilla. The bead is intense with brisk effervescence, swirling up into a generous and persistent mousse. It comes in a hand painted bottle and with two hand painted glasses. $145.29
Macallan 18 Year Old Single Malt Scotch: This scotch is rich and complex with a smoky flavor and a mellow and smooth texture. Give this gift to the most refined scotch drinkers; they’ll appreciate the subtleties and complexities of this extraordinary single malt. $152.99
Gifts between $99 and $50
Duckhorn Vineyards Napa Valley Merlot 2005: This wine is a medium-bodied and balanced with a smooth entry, integrated soft tannins, and a long finish. The aroma is lifted with raspberry, red currant, blueberry, cherry cola, and delicate spice. The flavors are polished with blackberry, plum, black cherry, toast, and a hint of herb. $57.59
Plumpjack Cabernet Sauvignon 2005: This is a full-bodied, chewy wine displaying copious aromas of lead pencil shavings, black currants, blueberries, licorice, charcoal, and spice box along with a hint of new oak. This beauty should unfold gracefully over the next 5-7 years, and last for two decades or more. $81.49
Ambullneo Big Paw Chardonnay: Nicely packaged in an oversized, heavy bottle, the ‘05 Ambullneo Big Paw is simply a beautiful wine, rated 91 points by Robert Parker. A rare example of all aspects of a Chardonnay at full throttle while in total balance and harmony, you can enjoy this now or over the next 5-10 years. It has everything in spades – bright fruit and nice minerality, dancing on a bed of acidity. Hands down, this can be mistaken for a top flight Burgundy – it’s that good! Many California producers should stop and take a sip of this to see just how tasty this noble varietal can be. $63.49
Lagavulin 16 Year Old Single Islay Malt Whiskey: Massive, peat-smoke typical of southern Islay, yet with a dry finesse that makes up a classy package. Rumor has it the teetotaler Johnny Depp sometimes orders a dram of this and just sniffs it! (It’s that good!) The taste is a combination of sweetness and smoke that is very rugged and sticks around for a long time after it is swallowed. $89.99
Gifts $49 and under
Crown Royal Gift Set:Just about everyone you know wouldn’t mind finding one of these under the tree. The set includes a 750 mL bottle of Crown Royal and two beautiful glasses. $23.49
Grey Goose Gift Set: This set includes a 750 mL bottle of Grey Goose and a martini shaker. Both are displayed in a beautiful blue box. $31.49
Budweiser Vintage Crate 24 pack: This one is for the true collector. Two 12-packs are packaged inside this vintage-recreation wooden crate. $42.99
Ferrari Carano Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: A powerful wine with great finesse, this wine boasts aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate and black tea complemented by elements of earth and licorice. Ripe black fruit, currants, toffee and caramel flavors give this wine a sweet mid-palate, excellent depth, showy tannins, and a pure, classic Cabernet finish. $39.79
