Perfect Pours: 13 Gifts for Wine Lovers

Red and green are the colors of the season and from our point of view there is no better way to say[i] “[/i]Happy Holidays!” than with a green glass bottle filled with red wine. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites from Spain, Chile, and Argentina, running the price spectrum, with a number of choices right at the sweet spot of $25. Whether you’re shopping for a coworker or picking up something special for your sweetheart, you’re sure to find a wine that perfectly suits your budget and the recipient’s palate.[b][i]Feliz Navidad[/i][/b]![b][url=http://www.santarita.com/international/]Santa Rita[/url] Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2011: [/b]This Cabernet Sauvignon from Chile’s Maipo Valley over delivers for the price, offering flavors of blackberries and vanilla with a hint of oregano and clove. Sixty percent of the wine is aged in barrels for eight months, while the remainder only sees stainless steel so wood and tannins don’t overpower the bold fruit flavors.[b][url=http://www.carmen.com/]Carmen[/url] Gran Reserva Carmenère 2011[/b]: Born in the rocky soil of the winery’s “Los Peñascos” vineyard, this wine was cultivated by hand in Chile’s esteemed Apalta Valley. Fermented in stainless steel tanks and aged for ten months in French oak barrels, it has a dense, dark color and exhibits aromas of ripe berries, sweet spices, and tobacco. Undertones of anise and paprika add complexity.[b][url=http://www.artadi.com/]Artadi [/url]Tempranillo 2011: [/b]From Spain’s Rioja region, this is a classic wine made in a modern style, ready to be opened and enjoyed rather than laid down in a wine cellar. Clean, fresh flavors of black cherry and raspberry are backed by soft notes of baking bread and spice that wash across the entire palate.[b][url=http://www.gasconwine.com/]Don Miguel Gascon[/url] Reserva Malbec 2012: [/b]Made from mostly Malbec, this wine from Mendoza, Argentina has a small amount of Petit Verdot added for softness and a light floral touch. It’s a bold wine with flavors of blackberry and black cherry highlighted by notes of cassis, clove, and just a hint of cinnamon.[i]Next, more great red wine picks… [/i][pagebreak] [b][url=http://www.conchaytoro.com/descubre-vinos/fine-wine-collection/marques-de-casa-concha-cabernet-sauvignon/]Marques de Casa Concha[/url] Cabernet Sauvignon 2012: [/b]Hailing from Chile’s Maipo Valley, this Cabernet Sauvignon has intense fruit flavors with touches of smoked paprika. Taking its name from the title bestowed upon the Concha y Toro family by King Felipe V of Spain in 1718, the story behind this wine neatly ties together Old World and New World winemaking.[b][url=http://www.vallllach.com/english/embruix.htm]Vall Llach Embruix [/url]2011: [/b]Embruix (pronounced “em-broosh”) means bewitching in Catalan, and wine drinkers are sure to fall under the spell of this blend of 28% Cariñena, 23% Garnacha, 18% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 14% Syrah from Spain’s Priorat region. Jammy flavors of mixed berry pie are backed by notes of cedar, vanilla, and spice.[b][url=http://www.cousinomacul.com/en/]Cousiño-Macul [/url]Finis Terrae 2010: [/b]Another entry from the Maipo Valley in Chile, Finis Terrae is made with 72% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 8% Syrah. In addition to bold berry flavors, notes of mint and cedar are present on the palate. Although it is perfectly drinkable right now, a friend with a wine cellar will also appreciate being able to store this for a few more years.[b][url=http://www.luigibosca.com.ar/]Luigi Bosca[/url] Gala 4 2010: [/b]Veering away from the usual Mendoza Malbec, the Arizu family, propietors of one of Argentina’s oldest family-owned wineries, have crafted a blend of 90% Cabernet Franc and 10% Malbec that will delight your friends who love things delicious and different. Chosen from estate vineyards, the intense cassis flavor of this wine is joined by soft notes of vanilla and a hint of smoky pepper.[b][url=http://www.leyda.cl/en/wines/lot/]Leyda Lot[/url] 21 Pinot Noir 2012: [/b]Hand-harvested only by women and made by female winemaker Viviana Navarrete, Leyda Pinot Noir is from estate vineyards in Chile’s Leyda Valley. Flavors of red cherry and thyme with a hint of citrus cross the palate supported by a smooth web of silky tannins.[i]More great bottles to snag…[/i] [pagebreak] [b]Santa Cruz di Artazu 2010: [/b]Crafted from 100% Garnacha grown on 70- to 90-year-old vines in the Navarra region in Spain, this wine offers bright berry flavors backed by notes of white chocolate, almond paste, and cedar. Old grapevines add an intensity of flavor that may not be present in other wines.[b][url=http://www.catenawines.com/eng/wines/alta/catalt.html]Catena Alta[/url] Cabernet Sauvignon 2011: [/b]Made from 88% Cabernet Sauvignon and 12% Cabernet Franc, this is a wine sure to please the connoisseur on your gift list. Selected from specific vineyard blocks and aged in oak for two years, this will make a fine addition to the wine cellar or dinner table, offering luscious fruit of the wood and cassis flavors crisscrossed with notes of cigar box and violet.[b]Coleccion Vivanco 4 Varietales 2010: [/b]The [i]quatro[/i] varieties in question are 70% Tempranillo, 15% Graciano, 10% Garnacha, and 5% Mazuelo, the classic grapes of Rioja, Spain. This is a limited production, single vineyard example of Rioja with full-on flavors of blackberry, raspberry, vanilla bean, and mocha. It is rich and full in the mouth with a lasting finish and it is sure to be appreciated by someone special who loves fine wine.[b][url=http://www.newtonvineyard.com/]Newton [/url]Puzzle Red Blend 2009:[/b] From Napa Valley, Newton’s Puzzle is a delightful blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot. It’s a flavorful and complex combination of premium wines from different vineyard sites across the Valley. If you are stumped as to what to buy for the wine lover with excellent taste, Newton Puzzle has that problem solved.