This week marks the start of the Christmas rush, and the demanding party and dinner schedule that comes with it. In response to the many requests from readers for a one-stop wine-shopping checklist, this week’s column will do just that. These are just a few wines I will be using for gift-giving and entertaining during this memorable time of year.
Wines for giving:
VALUES
- 2006 Cline Vineyards Zinfandel, California (about $12, retail)
- 2006 Wolf Blass Yellow Label Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia (about $11, retail)
- 2006 Parallele 45 Cotes du Rhone, France (about $15, retail)
- 2006 Root: 1 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile (about $14, retail)
- 2005 Vina Robles Red, California (about $16, retail)
- 2006 Les Garrigues Cotes du Rhone, France (about $14, retail)
- 2005 Trapiche Oak Cask Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile (about $12, retail)
SPLURGES
- 2005 Duckhorn Vineyards Merlot, Napa Valley, Calif. (about $60, retail)
- 2002 Nonno Zito Giovanna–Jeanette Nebbiolo, California (about $85, retail)
- 2003 E. Guigal Chateauneuf du Pape, Rhone, France (about $58, retail)
- 2006 Louis Jadot Chassagne Montrachet, Burgundy, France (about $62, retail)
- 1998 Spottswoode Estate, Napa Valley, Calif. (about $104, retail)
- 2001 Falcor Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Calif. (about $45, retail)
- 2003 Bell Winery Clone 6, Napa Valley, Calif. (about $95, retail)
- 2006 Newton Vineyards Unfiltered Chardonnay, Napa Valley, Calif. (about $72, retail)
- 2005 Martin Ray Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, Calif. (about $28, retail)
Wines for entertaining:
VALUES
- 2004 Gravity Hills Base Camp Syrah, California (about $12, retail)
- 2006 Concannon Vineyard Merlot, California (about $12, retail)
- 2006 Ravenswood Winery Vintners Blend Merlot, California (about $12, retail)
- 2006 Chateau Bonnet Blanc, France (about $15, retail)
- 2007 Kendall Jackson Vineyard Estate Sauvignon Blanc, California (about $12, retail)
- 2006 Oroya White Wine, Spain (about $10, retail)
- 2005 Le Grand Noir Pinot Noir, France (about $10, retail)
- 2006 Jacob Creek Shiraz, Australia (about $10, retail)
- 2007 Penfolds Koonunga Hill Cabernet Sauvignon, Australia (about $13, retail)
SPLURGES
- 2006 Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Arneis, California (about $18, retail)
- 2005 Bennett Family Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, California (about $32, retail)
- 2005 Trimbach Pinot Blanc, Alsace, France (about $18, retail)
- 2006 Daniel Schuster Waipara Pinot Noir, New Zealand (about $32, retail)
- NV Gruet Brut, New Mexico (about $19, retail)
- NV Gloria Ferrer Carneros Cuvee, California (about $55 retail)