by Michael Satterfield & Lexi Vallandingham - Photos by Lucas Kepner - 11/03/2023
Welcome, fellow connoisseurs and enthusiasts, to The Gentleman Racer's Holiday Wine Gift Guide—a curated selection of some of our favorite wines we have sampled this year. This year, we discovered so many wines we loved that we decided it would be best to give them their own stand-alone guide. What better way to celebrate and elevate your gatherings as we embark on this festive season than with the perfect bottle of wine? Whether you're a seasoned oenophile or just beginning your journey into the world of fine wines, our guide is designed to help you navigate the vineyards and uncork the essence of holiday cheer. Find the perfect wine for a host/hostess gift or your special gathering. Cheers to a season filled with toasts and memories!
Tosti Asti Secco Docg Dry
On the nose, it entices with an array of fragrances, including honey, peach, and lychee. However, once sipped, it reveals its dry nature and a gentle effervescence reminiscent of Prosecco. Subtle hints of citrus and pear grace the palate, leaving you with the expectation of more prominent Moscato flavors. 750 mL.
$14 - SHOP HERE
Buona Notte Sangiovese Cento Por Cento
Cento Per Cento or “a hundred for a hundred” (100% Sangiovese) has high tones of cherry, plum, and fresh cut young roses anchored by sagebrush, dust, and whole cluster baking spices. Full of flavor yet light on its feet, it's great with classic Italian dishes. 750 mL.
Buona Notte Merlot Andiamo
The grapes come from a steeply sloped Hillside Vineyard on the backside of The Dalles, Oregon. The deep alluvial soil lends itself to the fruit and dust of the wine. 750 mL.
Buona Notte Gruner Veltliner Puntarelle
Citrus and spring meadow, colors green and yellow, pea tendril, green tea-like tannins. This Gruner is a blend of two amazing vineyards at 1500ft on the cliffs of Underwood. Fresh with a touch of texture and richness. 750 mL.
$30 - SHOP HERE
Buona Notte Colli Pinole
Heady with aromas of violets, lavender, wild blueberries and forest floor. Spicy and powerful while at the same time fresh and nimble with dusty tannins through the long finish. 750 mL.
Buona Notte Pianoforte
This Pinot Noir is a stunning example of high-altitude Pinot from Underwood on the Washington side of the Gorge. The grapes maintain acidity and show off incredible vulcanic terroir, and power, and the wine's light red fruits help hit every note. 750 mL.
Buona Notte Domani
The flavor profile is a delightful medley of orange peel, fennel, star anise, quassina, chamomile, and more, evoking a bouquet of intriguing aromas and tastes. This wine captures the essence of the region, offering a vibrant interplay of flavors, just like the rolling hills and meadows of Oregon. 750 mL.
$45 - SHOP HERE
C.L. BUTAUD Cease & Desist Red Blend 2021
Robust & velvety, this Texan red blend has a base of our flagship Tempranillo, tipping our hat to the red blends of Spain from Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Toro, et al. 750 mL.
Flower Pinot Noir Russian River Valley
Offers aromas and flavors of red cherry and cassis with layered notes of baking spice, savory herbs, and dried rose hips. The flavors are elevated on the palate by bright acidity and fine tannins. 750 mL.
San Felice Vigorello
Made for the first time in 1968, Vigorello was the first of a new generation of Tuscan wines, with notes of red currant, sweet spice, and smooth vanilla. 750 mL.
Kopke 20 Years Old Tawny Port
Displaying a subtle hue of orange-green, this wine captivates with a splendid aroma that intricately blends dried fruit, spice, and subtle notes of fine wood. The palate reveals a richness and concentration of flavors, culminating in a long and velvety finish.
Gary Farrell 2019 Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir
The 2019 Hallberg Vineyard Pinot Noir has flavors of Bing cherry compote, cassis, and Hibiscus, followed by earthy tamarind and Oolong tea, with a velvety, yet tangy finish. 750 mL.
Fanciulle Villaggio 2019 with Fanciulle Extra-Virgin Olive Oil Gift Set
Raspberries and juicy cherries are the signature tastes of Fanciulle Villaggio this special gift set also includes a 500ml bottle of 2023 Fanciulle Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, perfect for cooking your favorite pairing dinner.
Floral Springs Napa Valley Trilogy 2019
The 2019 Trilogy marks the 35th vintage of the Flora Springs flagship red wine, a bottling that dates back to 1984. Notes of vanilla crème, black licorice, cola, and sweet earth.
Chapelton Vineyards Estate Blanc Du Bois 2022
Blanc du Bois showcases a vibrant interplay of crisp acidity, lively fruit, and floral notes. Enticing aromas of citrus, lilacs, and star fruit set the stage, leading to a palate filled with peach and gentle lime citrus flavors. The wine culminates in a bright, crisp finish accented by hints of minerality and ginger.
TOR Oakville Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Savory umami, delicate mushroom, and invigorating eucalyptus aromas intertwine with a profusion of luscious blackberry, decadent chocolate-covered cherry, and indulgent blueberry pie. A subtle trace of graphite minerality enhances the experience. The wine's complexity deepens with nuances of cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, contributing to its status as a standout representative of the vintage. Marked by an unwavering structure and an opulent fruit core, this wine stands above many in its price point and will not disappoint.
For true wine enthusiasts, consider picking up Tor Kenward's book
Reflections of a Vintner. He shares his story and perspective about how Napa Valley grew from a small winemaking community in the 70s to one of the world's top wine regions.
St. Supéry’s Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Rutherford Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
Rich tones of purple and red showcase the opulence of this wine. Notes of red cherry, plum, raspberry, and goji berries intertwine with subtleties of coffee, black pepper, a touch of graphite, and toasted oak. Sweet, ripe blackberry and plum take center stage, harmonizing with hints of anise and charred oak. The wine exudes balance and a pleasing texture.
2018 Dollarhide Estate Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon
The dark fruit aromas in this Cabernet Sauvignon, characterized by black plum and cassis, are both concentrated and vibrant. Subtle hints of vanillin and toasted barrel, accompanied by notes of licorice and ground pepper, add complexity. The palate is graced with robust blackberry flavors that are luxuriously textured, showcasing a well-defined structure and a lingering finish. The wine, ripe and opulent, reveals an enticing touch of dark chocolate and a dusty cocoa sensation. A truly earnest Cabernet Sauvignon, designed to mature gracefully with time in the cellar.
Larkmead 2019 Solari
The 2019 Solari is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Silken layers of blackberry, juicy plums, and red currants find espresso beans and a lively vein of blood orange-like acidity. 750 mL.
Ferrari Trento F1® Special Edition Podium
For this special release celebrating the excitement of Formula 1 and Ferrari Trento's status as the official wine of F1, Ferrari Trento has selected a Blanc de Blancs produced in a limited edition and only in the three-liter bottles – typical of such celebrations – offered in a special cylindrical gift box, with a dedicated design. Standard 750ml sizes are also available.
3- Liter (Podium Bottle) $325/ 750ML $30 -
SHOP HERE
Fly With Wine
If you are traveling for the holidays with your wine, be sure to pack it in the Fly With Wine case, which is safe to check if you need to bring a special bottle home for the holidays. Offered in five, eight, or twelve-bottle capacity
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