Hello! Wife of a Beserker here I know my husband’s favorite gift is wine but he’s so hard to buy for because he does so much research on his own. I have access to some pretty nice wine stores in the DC area that can get futures and a wide range of rare vintages.
So… looking for some help. Budget would be 250-400 a bottle and something that either has age or could age. Thinking Burgundy? Something French at least. Taste wise we buy a lot from Sonoma, Tuscany and Willamette.
Not Burgundy — others can help there — but if you’re open to Champagne, 2008 Dom P and 2008/2013 Cristal are all in your price range, widely available, ripping now, will age for years, and hold value.
Kate, there is a great thread on Champagne going for years where the Champagne-Nerds hang out who I bet will be happy to give you some more suggestions. The ones quoted will be a good start though.
Look beyond bottles.
Does he have a Durand? That would be a desert-island item for me.
If he has a strong interet in a specific type of wine or region, perhaps a book on that topic.
If there’s a wine shop you particularly like, maybe a prepaid tasting or other event there.
Categories that you enjoy, but maybe stuff that you don’t have a lot of? In our house, that would probably be dessert wines.
Seeing as you like Sonoma and Willamette and mentioned Burgundy I am thinking Pinot Noir is a favorite. Accordingly, consider a nice Rose Champagne. They tend to favor more of a Pinot profile - a high end blanc de noirs might also suit your tastes.
Maybe a good Champagne you can get in magnum. I suggest 2012 Roederer rose, which seems to be available from several sources for about $200/magnum. This pinot drinker loves it.
Or consider talking to whomever he chats with at macarthurs and see if your husband has expressed interest in things he won’t spend the cash for.
Thanks to all who have commented! I think I’ll take this feedback with me to MacArthur and have them guide me further. Just out of curiosity, and I know personal preference plays a part, what would be a wine that you’d receive that would be super exciting as a wine enthusiast. Something rare or something you wouldn’t buy for yourself given price?
Could be either - of course rare wines if they are exceptional end up being very expensive. A small production wine that is not readily available, is not overly expensive, and gets some accolades from some pundits probably is the most appealing wine for many wine geeks. Something that is only a few hundred cases but is great and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. On the other hand, something like Krug Clos d’Ambonnay would be a great gift!
A different set of paper thin glasses. I’m happy with my own stem selections but I won’t turn down a different brand of wine glasses when it’s well made and well intentioned.
Can I suggest an alternative to a bottle? My wife gave me an antique decanting cradle years ago. I loved it then, and I still love it now. It’s especially useful if he has any old port, an old Barolo or Barbaresco, or even older Bordeaux. They used to be less expensive, but you can still find some nice ones on Etsy.
If you ever watched Downton Abbey, they used one there — and the actor who played Mr. Carson said it was his favorite prop from the series. Here’s an example:
I know my husband’s favorite gift is wine but he’s so hard to buy for because he does so much research on his own. I have access to some pretty nice wine stores in the DC area that can get futures and a wide range of rare vintages.