Gifts From Your Rich Uncle and Cash-Strapped Friend Part 2

It is our firm belief that when it comes to wines and spirits there is quality in every price range. To illustrate this we enlisted some help from those who live, breathe and sell wine for a living.

Their mission? To suggest the best-value drink under $20 they would be happy to receive from a pal with more taste than dosh; and the brilliant wine or spirit they would most love to see under the tree from the dripping-in-cash and oh-so-generous uncle Bob (or aunt Roberta).

Offerings this year include numerous selections from Spain, the land of stellar bargains, and of course lots and lots of bubbles. It is a celebratory time of year after all.

Misun Bu, sommelier, Tavern 1903

Baron Otard XO
Baron Otard XO

From my cash-strapped friend
2012 Tawse Sketches Riesling (Niagara Peninsula, Canada) $19
My value-hunting friend will leave this seductive and wonderfully balanced Canadian Riesling for my humble cheese plate or Korean-inspired Christmas dinner.

From rich uncle Bob
Baron Otard XO (Cognac, France) $200
Winter in Edmonton is long, and my uncle understands I can warm my heart and my cold feet with this rich, smooth and sweet-spiced Cognac.

Juanita Roos, AIWS, Color de Vino Wine & Spirits

From my cash-strapped friend
2011 Animus Vincente Leite de Faria (Douro, Portugal) $16.50
Animus (Latin for soul) will warm the soul indeed with terrific value. The blend is composed of the same indigenous varietals used to produce the finest Ports; Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca. Spicy, earthy, with plenty of red fruit, drink up!

From rich uncle Bob
2002 Bollinger R.D. (Champagne, France) $325
Rarest of the rare, even 007 may have a hard time procuring a bottle of this recently disgorged bottling; only 2,000 bottles or so are available after 11 years of aging on lees. The fruit for this prestige cuvee (60 per cent Pinot Noir, 40 per cent Chardonnay) comes from 23 different sites within mostly Grand Cru vineyards (71 per cent). The taste is rich and fresh — apples, citrus, roasted nuts. Who doesn’t want to drink this!

Rob Filipchuk, The Glass Monkey Gastropub

Hacienda Lopez de Haro Reserva
Hacienda Lopez de Haro Reserva
From my cash-strapped friend

2005 Hacienda Lopez de Haro Reserva (Rioja, Spain) $18
Medium-bodied with notes of leather, spice and a hint of vanilla; incredible value for a wine that has nine years of bottle age, including 20 months spent in oak barrels.

Medium-bodied with notes of leather, spice and a hint of vanilla; incredible value for a wine that has nine years of bottle age, including 20 months spent in oak barrels.

Penfolds Grange Bin 95
Penfolds Grange Bin 95a
From rich uncle Bob

1996 Penfolds Grange Bin 95 (South Australia) $600
One of the most iconic wines in the world, for good reason. Grange wines are massive and unwieldy in their youth, but once they reach twenty-plus years of age, they achieve an incredible level of elegance. I have had several opportunities to taste Grange vintages dating back to the early ’70s and have always been blown away by the layers of aromas and flavours of this great wine.

Patrick Saurette, The Marc Restaurant

From my cash-strapped friend
2012 Domaine de L’Amauve Vin de Pays (Vaucluse, France) $18
I love Grenache! Sweet nose, brooding black fruits and a finish that will not stop. Did I say I love Grenache?

From rich uncle Bob
2012 Chateau Figeac Premier Grand Cru Classe (Bordeaux, France) $120
Doris (my wife) and I love this wine! We have so many great memories around this wine. Our love affair with it began at the 1978 vintage. A pleasure with roast lamb and serve a blueberry pie for dessert just because.

Peter Seepish, Crestwood Fine Wines

From my cash-strapped friend
2013 Mourgues du Grès Galets Dorés (Costieres de Nimes, France) $20
This Marsanne, Rousanne, and Grenache Blanc blend from southern France over-performs with flavours of ripe stone fruit, minerality, and a lively, mouth-watering acidity. A versatile white when it comes to food pairing.

From rich uncle Bob
Arran Malt Devil’s Punchbowl III (Scotland) $130.
Not the most expensive single malt Scotch on the shelf, but one of the most interesting. The third and fiendish finale of master distiller James MacTaggart’s trilogy is blended from 21 selected casks (Oloroso sherry, French barrique, and bourbon) and bottled at a natural cask strength of 53.4 per cent. Not peated like the first two releases, big and fruity. We just love what this young distillery is doing.

Doug Hicks and Marcia J. Hamm, Hick’s Fine Wines, St Albert

From my cash-strapped friend
Adega de Borba (Alentejo, Portugal) $13
This little beauty, made from a blend of three local grapes, is packed with blackberry fruit and hints of mushroom and forest floor. Feliz Natal!

From rich uncle Bob
2003 Dom Perignon Rosé, (Champagne, France) $299
Dom Perignon Rosé is known as the dark jewel of the brand. Rarely has a vintage deserved this title more than the 2003, with rich fig and strawberry on the nose leading to a silky smooth palate, well-structured, ending with a crisp, minerally finish.

Tara Smith, wine specialist, Sherbrooke Liquor Store

From my cash-strapped friend

Domaine Ste Michelle
Domaine Ste Michelle

Domaine Ste Michelle “Michelle” Brut (Washington, USA) $16
I will always suggest bubbles for any occasion, and this traditional method sparkling is chock full of fresh vibrant fruit with a crisp acidity that keeps you coming back for more. Bonus: the elegant packaging means that you can take this bottle anywhere, even to your in-laws, without having to dress her up too much.

From rich uncle Bob
Bruichladdich Cuvee 382 La Berenice (Scotland) $160
“A sensuous, decadent and flirtatious whisky with more than a hint of forbidden fruit,” says Jim McEwen, Bruichladdich’s master distiller. How can you not want to have a dram with a description like that? This 21-year-old single malt is finished in both Barsac and Sauternes casks. Limited availability, don’t wait.

Eberhard Tamm, Enotri Wine

Ramato Pinot Grigio DOC
Ramato Pinot Grigio DOC

From my cash-strapped friend
2013 Corte di Giacobbe Dal Cero Ramato Pinot Grigio DOC (Veneto, Italy) $19
A fun wine with a lot of depth, which carries the memories of a great summer and the promises of a spring to come. Rich, yet refreshing.

From rich uncle Bob
2007 Cava Agusti Torello Mata Kripta (Cava, Spain) $110
Sublime purity in every sensation, delivering the flavours of an uncorked mystery, it’s a festive celebration on your palate.

Deb Pirker, Grady Wine Marketing

Anna de Codorniu
Anna de Codorniu

From my cash-strapped friend
Anna de Codorniu (Cava, Spain) $16
If you can’t afford Champagne, why not get the next best thing for a fraction of the cost? The top-selling Cava in Spain, with aromas of tropical fruit, creamy texture, lots of juicy acidity for balance and a lingering finish. If you can’t afford a card, just write your message on the striking white bottle.

From rich uncle Bob
2008 Tua Rita Redigaffi, IGT Toscana (Tuscany, Italy) $220
This Merlot from a tiny Tuscan estate has achieved cult status and outstanding ratings from the world’s most prestigious wine critics and publications. Opulent, intense, perfect for the cellar.

Trivento Amado Sur Red
Trivento Amado Sur Red”

Lisa Rogers, Select Wines & Spirits

From my cash-strapped friend
2012 Trivento Amado Sur Red (Mendoza, Argentina) $17
A deliciously drinkable mostly Malbec blend with Bonarda and Syrah.

Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja
Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja

From rich uncle Bob pic
2001 Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja (Rioja, Spain) $42
Decanter Magazine’s number one wine of the year in 2013. Beautiful aged aromas and flavours of umami, tamari and dried strawberries. Velvety textured with a lingering finish and lots of freshness still.

Alison Phillips, FWS Aligra Wine & Spirits

From my cash-strapped friend
Monasterio De Las Vinas (Cariñena, Spain) $15
The 70-per-cent Grenache, 30-per-cent Tempranillo blend is from Aragon in northeastern Spain. It has a wonderfully aromatic nose with bold, powerful fruit in the mouth; fresh with good acidity, and a lovely finish.

From rich uncle Bob
Clase Azule Ultra Extra Anjeo Tequila (Jalisco, Mexico) $2,049
Ultra-premium extra Anejo, from 100 per cent Tequiliana Weber Blue Agave, double distilled and aged a minimum of three years in heavily charred, hand-selected sherry casks.

The decanter is spectacular. Hand-made ceramic vessel (which takes 40 days to make) adorned with a hand-made pure silver medallion by renowned artist Leon Fernandez; hand-painted with pure platinum paint by Tomas Saldivar; a label of 24K gold; topped with pewter and presented in a fine wooden case by artisan Fernando Tanaka. Wow!

Paulette Scott Pacific Wine and Spirits

Parker Station Pinot Noir
Parker Station Pinot Noir

From my cash-strapped friend
Fess Parker Parker Station Pinot Noir (Central Coast, USA) $19
Looking for a great-tasting Pinot Noir at a great price? Look no further. Fess Parker’s wine maker Blair Fox makes a delicious Pinot, brimming with aromas and flavours of cherry, strawberry, earth, cinnamon and vanilla. Simply great everyday Pinot.

Taylor Fladgate 1863
Taylor Fladgate 1863

From rich uncle Bob
Taylor Fladgate 1863 Single Harvest Port (Oporto, Portugal) $3,900
Something extra special for Christmas, from the last great Port vintage before phylloxera spread throughout the Douro Valley.

The wine is drawn from Taylor’s collection of rare and valuable cask aged Ports, with exceptional density and complexity, yet also a vitality and freshness remarkable in a wine of this age. Like a time capsule, it offers a fascinating glimpse into a distant past.

Nelson Gomes, FineVine Wine Imports

From my cash-strapped friend
Vila Real Colheita (Duoro, Portugal) $15
A fresh, white blend with floral and citrus notes from high altitude vines in the Douro region.

From rich uncle Bob
2006 Salton Talento Reserve (Brazil) $40
Red fruit aromas with hints of vanilla, coconut and fresh tobacco from this delicious Cab, Merlot and Tannat blend.

Anita Jarmolicz, International Cellars

From my cash-strapped friend
Segura Viudas Brut Reserva (Cava, Spain) $16
This fresh, balanced and slightly creamy-textured sparkling wine with tasty apple puree, pastry cream, anise and preserved lemon notes is made in the traditional method of Champagne.

From rich uncle Bob
Champagne Nicolas Maillart Brut Plantine, (Champagne, France) $60
Pinot-dominated Champagne made from fruit grown in premier and grand cru-rated vineyards. The nose is clean, fresh, and yeasty with lemon brioche, white mushroom and apple blossom aromas. Bright and balanced acidity with solid length.

Stacey-Jo Strombecky, Renaissance Wine Merchants, Clarus and Nobilis Wine Importers.

From my cash-strapped friend
2012 Java Rosé Cotes du Gascogne (Gascony, France) $15
Bright red berry and spice notes dominate this Bordeaux varietal-based rosé from the southwest. This fresh and fruity treat has a fair amount of body, making this a beautiful winter rosé. I am drinking an embarrassing amount of it lately.

From rich uncle Bob
2010 Cordero di Montezemolo Barolo Enrico VI (Piedmont, Italy) $150
The fruit is from Castiglione Falletto, one of the most revered hillsides Barolo in a landmark vintage from one of the greatest producers in Barolo. The result is a complex array of aromas and flavours of mature fruit, spice, violets and herbs. A wine for the cellar, a treasure for those with patience. This powerhouse will age longer than I will.

Jason Somerville, The Wine Cellar

From my cash-strapped friend
2010 Heartland Shiraz (Langhorne Creek/Limestone Coast Australia) $19
Who doesn’t like a nice bottle of shiraz? Especially one made by the masterful Ben Glaetzer. Dark and spicy, this firm-textured red keeps the cherry and black pepper flavours on a narrow beam, finishing with fine texture.

From rich uncle Bob
2006 Bodegas Roda Cirsion (Rioja, Spain) $293
Bodegas Roda is a shining star in Rioja known for exceptional wines of the postmodern Rioja style. Cirsion is a luxury cuvée made only in exceptional vintages. Dense and polished, powerful yet graceful, with black currant, espresso, licorice and mineral notes, drink now or cellar.

Mary Bailey AIWS, The Tomato food & drink

Tinhorn Creek Gewurztraminer
Tinhorn Creek Gewurztraminer

From my cash-strapped friend
2013 Tinhorn Creek Gewurztraminer (Okanagan Valley, British Columbia) $18
This is the ultimate fridge door wine, the wine you need to have on hand all the time, for unexpected guests, to have a glass while cooking, or just because. The style is dryish, with inviting muskiness and hints of lychee and ginger. Always refreshing, never cloying, as suitable with roast turkey today as it will be with the turkey tetrazzini tomorrow.

Culmina Hypothesis
Culmina Hypothesis

From rich uncle Bob pic
2012 Culmina Hypothesis (South Okanagan, British Columbia) $50
Hypothesis is a delight. A Bordeaux-style blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc; fresh, elegant, concentrated, with ripe, well-modulated tannins; tasting of juicy just-dried cherries, plums and lovely blackcurrant fruit along with the grace note of subtle herbaceousness that southern Okanagan Cab Franc brings to the party. Hypothesis shows tremendous promise — its journey will be one worth following. The trick? Getting your hands on some, then having the discipline to hide a few bottles of each vintage away in the cellar.

Find these wines at Aligra Wines & Spirits, Bin 104, Color de Vino, Crestwood Wines, Hick’s Fine Wines, The Wine Cellar, Unwined Wines and Spirits and other fine wine shops.
Not all wines at every store.