Wine Watch Gift Box Selections for 2023

"Never spare the parson's wine nor the baker's pudding" - Benjamin Franklin

The month of November is almost gone which means our normal schedule of drinking and dining is over and we are shifting into gift box mode here at the Wine Watch.  But we still have a few more events before the end of this year.   

Tuesday, November 28, 2023 - 7:30 PM
SALVESTRIN VINEYARDS DR. CRANE CABERNET SAUVIGNON WINE TASTING.  We had a special guest but something happened I hope he is ok but we have the wines so were hosting the tasting!  Check out the line-up of wines and the menu: https://www.winewatch.com/wine-events-d6/november-events-c65/salvestrin-vineyards-dr-crane-cabernet-sauvignon-wine-tasting-e3275/
 

Friday, December 1, 2023 -7:30 PM
DUNN HOWELL MOUNTAIN CABERNET SAUVIGNON VERTICAL TASTING BACK TO 1987!  Dunn is one of the legendary Napa Vally wineries and these old school wines need 10-20+ years before they get interesting.  We have an incredible line-up of Cabernet Sauvignon drinking at its peak on the table tonight.  Check out the line-up at:  https://www.winewatch.com/wine-events-d6/dunn-howell-mountain-cabernet-sauvignon-vertical-tasting-back-to-1987-e3254/

 
Saturday, December 2, 2023 - 7:30 PM
TUSCANY VERSUS PIEDMONT WINE TASTING AVIGNONESI VS PAOLO CONTERNO.  If I had to pick a favorite grape varietal it would be Nebbiolo and the best version of this grape comes from Barolo.  But Sangiovese would take a close second place and the best version of this grape comes from Italy and Montalcino.  Check out the line-up of wines for this tasting and the menu at:  https://www.winewatch.com/wine-gift-boxes-d1/two-bottle-boxes-c4/piedmont-vs-tuscany-23d2-p17/

Wednesday, December 6, 2023 - 7:30 PM
WINEMAKER EVENT WITH JEAN HOEFLIGER – Stay Tuned for more Details!

Thursday, December 7, 2023 - 7:30 PM
SENA CHILEAN WINE TASTING WITH SPECIAL GUEST MICHEL COUTTOLENC VICE PRESIDENT NORTH AMERICA - Stay Tuned for more Details!

Friday, December 8, 2023 - 7:30 PM
ADVERSITY WINERY WINE TASTING WITH SPECIAL GUEST WINEMAKER RUSSELL BEVAN.  Stay Tuned for more Details!

Now- it’s Wine Watch Gift Box Time!

The gift of a Wine Watch gift box is truly a reflection of your sophistication.  Every wine chosen for the gift box program is selected for its overall quality and value.  I taste thousands of wines at my desk during the year and travel the world to discover new selections as well.  Wine Watch is the most unique wine boutique anywhere and the same is true of our gift box presentation. Each wine in our gift box program is accompanied by a winery profile. The collection of winery profiles is bound into an album and included with your gift box along with a custom-made Wine Watch gift card.

We have a selection of 30 gift boxes here below and if you do not see something that you like we can make a custom box for you and remember we have single bottle boxes we can make any single bottle in the store look amazing in our branded wooden box with profile album and customized matching gift card.

Remember everything that we do is done by hand, so we may run a day or two behind processing orders this time of the year, so get yours to us as early as possible so we can get your gift delivered in time for the holidays. 

We will be back to our normal schedule of drinking the world’s greatest wines after the holidays are over, for a complete list of what’s coming up next year check out our calendar of events on our web page we already have a few dozen events on the calendar for 2024!

Wine Watch Gift Box Selections 2023

BLOCKBUSTER CASE #23A1                                                      PRICE $599.00
This case features the best that we have tasted this year, twelve wines that are worthy of the cellar and that pose exceptional quality on par with wines of double the price or more. The winners this year:

2015 Cavalier Bartolomeo Barolo Altenasso
2018 Jean Noel Gagnard Chassagne Montrachet Rouge Cuvee L'estimee
2018 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville
2019 Quinault L'enclos St. Emilion
2020 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley
2016 Donelan Syrah Cuvee Christine Sonoma County
Nv Henriot Souverain Brut Champagne
2019 Kelley Fox Chardonnay Durant Vineyard Lark Block Dundee Hills
2014 Palazzo Cuvee Blanc Napa White
2018 Planeta Eruzione 1614 Carricante Etna
2018 Gravel Pit Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
2019 Weingut Franz Hirtzberger Steinterrassen Riesling Federspiel

BEST VALUE CASE #23A2                                                            PRICE: $335.00
The wines in this box are some of the hardest to pick as the budget is limited to everyday prices, but these twelve wines prove that you can still fine excellent values all over the world. Our dynamic dozen this year includes:

2019 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
J. Bookwalter Notebook 15nv Columbia Valley
2019 Craggy Range Te Kahu Hawkes Bay New Zealand
2016 Bernadotte Haut Medoc
2018 Avignonesi Vino Nobile Di Montepulciano Docg
2020 Jules Taylor Pinot Noir Marlborough New Zealand
2019 Trim Chardonnay California
2018 Paul Mas Réserve Chardonnay Saint Hilaire Vineyard
2022 Charles Krug Sauvignon Blanc Napa Valley
2022 Ferrari Carano Fume Blanc Sonoma
2018 Empire Estate Riesling Long Island Finger Lakes New York
2022 La Spinetta Vermentino Toscana Igt Tuscany, Italy

BORDEAUX LOVERS 12 BOTTLE CASE #23A3                         PRICE: $2369.00
Bordeaux Sets The Standard When It Comes To Collectibles; Its Ability To Age Is Second To None. Bordeaux Is A Must For Any Serious Wine Collectors Cellar And Here Are A Dozen Wines That Represent Some Of The Best That Each Of These Major Regions Of Bordeaux Has To Offer.  There Are Wines That Are Drinking At Their Peak In These Selections And There Are Wines That Can Be Cellared For Another Decade Or More In This Mixed Case.

1989 Chateau Cos D'estournel, Saint-Estephe
2019 Chateau La Grave Figeac Grand Cru Saint Emilion
1982 Chateau Lafon Rochet St Estephe
1986 Chateau Meyney St. Estephe
1995 Chateau Latour 'Les Forts De Latour' Pauillac
2017 Chateau Branaire Ducru St Julien
1995 Chateau De Tertre Margaux
2018 Chateau Petit Village Pomerol
2010 Chateau Potensac Medoc
1990 Chateau Lascombes Margaux
2019 Quinault L'enclos St. Emilion
2016 Chateau Le Bon Pasteur Pomerol

BORDEAUX BLENDS FROM AROUND THE WORLD 12 BOTTLE CASE #23A4                          PRICE: $815
What can we say about the five red varietals from Bordeaux other than they are the ultimate crowd pleasers? Their gorgeous forward fruit make them appeal when young and the best Bordeaux blends from California, Bordeaux, Washington State, Italy and Argentina have the ability to age for 20 years or more in your cellar. Here are a dozen that are sure to be a hit this year and beyond.

2019 Penfolds Bin 600 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Napa Paso Robles  
2019 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington  
2020 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley
2019 Craggy Range Te Kahu Hawkes Bay New Zealand  
2021 Passing Time Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon Washington
2012 The Mega Malbec Company Artist Series Blend By Puro Uno Mendoza
2019 Clos De Los Siete Valle De Uco Mendoza
2020 Bramare Malbec Lujan De Cuyo Mendoza
1999 Fattoria Montellori Salamartano Toscana Igt 1
2019 Terrabianca Campaccio Tuscany
2018 Charles Krug Peter Mondavi Family Reserve 'Generations', Napa Valley
2018 Neyen Espiritu De Apalta Colchagua Valley, Chile

ULTIMATE SIX PACK  23B1                                                                     PRICE $1525
When only the best will do, the ultimate six-pack is the answer for you. Here we have six wines that are the best in their class this year.

2019 Chateau Mouton Rothschild Aile D'argent Blanc
2016 Bouchard Pere Et Fils Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru
2018 Hospices De Beaune Beaune 1er Cru Cuvee Guigone De Salins Cuvee Gup Maliner And Zuckerman
2018 Peter Michael Au Paradis Oakville, Napa
2004 Penfolds Rwt Shiraz Barossa Valley
1989 Chateau Cos D'estournel, Saint-Estephe 

CABERNET LOVERS DREAM #23B2                                                     PRICE: $575
Cabernet Sauvignon loves company and your drinking buddies will love these six delectable treats from California and Washington State over the holidays.

2018 Robert Mondavi Cabernet Sauvignon Oakville 
2017 J Bookwalter Winery Volume Seven, Columbia Valley
2019 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington
2019 Penfolds Bin 600 Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz Napa Paso Robles
2017 Roubaix Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon Rutherford
2018 Gravel Pit Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

SIX MOST EXCELLENT REDS #22B3                                                    PRICE: $565.00
Red wines come in many different flavors, this box celebrates five different varieties and five different wine regions as well.

2019 Cristom Pinot Noir Mount Jefferson Willamette Valley
2019 Woodward Canyon Artist Series Cabernet Sauvignon, Washington
2020 Bramare Malbec Lujan De Cuyo Mendoza
2020 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley
2016 Donelan Syrah Cuvee Christine Sonoma County 
1996 Chateau Gazin Pomerol

DINNER PARTY BOX #23B4                                                                     PRICE: $395.00
We will supply you with all you need to prepare a five course dinner party.  Box does not include: chef, food ingredients or stem ware.  Included in this box is inspiration for food and wine parings by Fiona Beckett’s Wine & Food Book along with the following wines:

Nv Henriot Souverain Brut Champagne 
2014 Palazzo Cuvee Blanc Napa White 
2018 Jean Noel Gagnard Chassagne Montrachet Rouge Cuvee L'estimee 
2016 Donelan Syrah Cuvee Christine Sonoma County 
2006 Granja Nuestra Senora De Remelluri 'Remelluri' Reserva Rioja Doca
Chambers Rosewood Vineyards Rutherglen Special Muscat Australia 375ml 

SIX TOP IMPORTS #23B5                                                                         PRICE: $375
This box shows the most diversity in terms of different varietals and styles of wine. Different varietals and distinctive terroir make the wines in this box appropriate for those that like to adventure outside the norm.

2006 Granja Nuestra Senora De Remelluri 'Remelluri' Reserva Rioja Doca
2020 Jules Taylor Pinot Noir Marlborough 
2019 Chateau La Grave Figeac Grand Cru Saint Emilion
2019 Weingut Franz Hirtzberger Rotes Tor Gruner Veltliner Federspiel
2022 Domaine Sigalas Santorini Assyrtiko Greece
2021 Jean Marc Brocard Vaulorent 1er Cru 

BIG TIME CHARDONNAY #23B6                                                            PRICE: $335
I always say don’t hate me because I'm beautiful and that is why I chose to make a box of six bottles of the world's most popular white wine – Chardonnay

2020 Marimar Estate Chardonnay Marimar Acero Russian River Valley
2021 Jean Marc Brocard Vaulorent 1er Cru
2017 Gambal Work Chardonnay Santa Rita Hills
2018 Buty Chardonnay Conner Lee Vineyard
2019 Kelley Fox Chardonnay Durant Vineyard Lark Block Dundee Hills
2018 Foxen Vineyard & Winery Chardonnay Block Uu Bien Nacido Vineyard Santa Maria Valley

COLLECTORS PACK #23C1                                                                    PRICE:  $895.00
When it comes to the classics, the wines of France are hard to beat.  In this box we have three great producers from the motherland for blue Chip Collectibles Burgundy and Bordeaux

1989 Chateau Cos D'estournel, Saint-Estephe, France 
2018 Hospices De Beaune Beaune 1er Cru Cuvee Guigone De Salins Cuvee Gup Maliner And Zuckerman
2016 Bouchard Pere Et Fils Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru 

JIMMY'S GEMS #23C2                                                                              PRICE : $259
This box pays tribute to one of the great California wine experts/advocates, the late Jimmy Mancbach. Jimmy knew the back roads of California wine country like no one else. All the selections in this box were first brought to South Florida by our good friend Jimmy. Cheers Jimmy- We miss you!

2019 Cru By Vineyard 29 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
2021 Soter Pinot Noir Mineral Springs Ranch WIllamette Valley Oregon
2021 Kistler Chardonnay Les Noisetiers Russian River Valley

THREE 100 POINT RED WINES  #23C3                                                 PRICE : $2995,00
These three red wines are all my top picks from their respective categories this year. All three of these are 100 point selections.

1982 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion Pessac Leognan Bordeaux
2002 Quilceda Creek Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley        
2015 Sine Qua Non Eleven Confessions Grenache "E Eleven Confessions Vineyard Santa Rita Hills 

NAPA VALLEY TRIO #23C4                                                                      PRICE : $155
There is a reason why these are the most popular varietals on the face of the earth and there is a reason, these wines all my favorites!  I don’t care if the rest of the world likes them they are the best and I challenge you to a duel...

2021 Swanson Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
2020 Charles Krug Merlot Napa Valley
2019 ANTICA CHARDONNAY A26 VINEYARD NAPA

THREE TOP IMPORTS #23C5                                                                  PRICE: $239
The U.S. still offers the best selection of quality wines from all over the world. We can be patriotic and still enjoy the best that the rest of the world has to offer, here are three globe trotters that are sure to please.

2006 Granja Nuestra Senora De Remelluri 'Remelluri' Reserva Rioja Doca 
2019 Chateau La Grave Figeac Grand Cru Saint Emilion 
2021 Jean Marc Brocard Vaulorent 1er Cru

BEST VALUE THREE PACK 23C6                                                           PRICE: $129.00
Here are Three wines that offer the most bang for your buck this year in the vanilla chocolate and strawberry category.

2020 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley 
2021 Cherry Pie Pinot Noir San Pablo Bay
2019 Trim Chardonnay California 

 CHAMPAGNE LOVERS THREE PACK  #23C7                                     PRICE : $235
Three of the best Champagnes that have passed my lips this year!

Nv Champagne Jeeper Brut Grand Assemblage 
Nv Henriot Blanc De Blanc Champagne 
Nv Philippe Gonet Brut Rose, Champagne

THE CLOSER #23D1                                                                                              PRICE : $369
Many of great deals have been closed over a bottle or two of great wine. Here are two bottles that are deal closers, when only the best will do.

2019 Peter Michael Au Paradis Oakville, Napa
2020 Wayfarer Chardonnay Wayfarer Vineyard Fort Ross Seaview Sonoma

PIEDMONT VS TUSCANY #23D2                                                                        PRICE : $290
If I had to pick a favorite grape varietal it would be Nebbiolo and the best version of this grape comes from Barolo.  But Sangiovese would take a close second place and the best version of this grape comes from Italy and Montalcino. 

2018 Paolo Scavino Barolo Cannubi
2016 Canalicchio Di Sopra Brunello Di Montalcino

TOP VINTAGE RED AND WHITE #23D3                                                            PRICE : $195
We have two wines here that seem to defy the laws of aging and for a Malbec blend form Argentina and a Chardonnay from California it is amazing to think that the chardonnay is 10= years older !!

2012 The Mega Malbec Company Artist Series Blend By Puro Uno Mendoza
2001 Marimar Estate Chardonnay Don Miguel Vineyard Russian River Valley

NAPA VALLEY VS WASHINGTON STATE #23D4                                     PRICE: $109
Napa Valley and Washington state are two of the most respected wine producing regions in the USA.  I taste thousands of wines a year and these are the best two in their class from Napa Vallley and Washington this year.  We like the people behind the wines but they always have quality in the bottle and that is the most important thing to our wine drinking people!!

2019 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
2020 Northstar Merlot Columbia Valley

AWESOME TWOSOME #23D5                                                                             PRICE : $95
The 2021 vintage was excellent in many places on this planet and you don’t have to look to far to find some incredible wines from Napa Valley

2021 Swanson Cabernet Sauvignon Napa 
2021 Clos Pegase Chardonnay Mitsuko's Vineyard Carneros Napa

BORDEAUX AND BURGUNDY – A STUDY IN FRENCH WINE #23D6  PRICE : $159
Here are two of France’s greatest wines and two of the greatest values in collectibe wines as these new releases will age for decades in your cellar or you csn drink them tonight with a few hours in the decanter.

2019 Chateau La Grave Figeac Grand Cru Saint Emilion   
2021 Jean Marc Brocard Vaulorent 1er Cru

BEST VALUE TWO PACK #23D7                                                                         PRICE : $59
We taste thousands of wines to get to the best values of the year as it gets harder and harder to find wines that are in the $20 and under price range that really satisfy.  Here are two that over deliver, which is the best thing about a value.

J. Bookwalter Notebook Red 16nv Columbia Valley 
2021 Pulenta Estate Chardonnay Viii Mendoza

VINTAGE BURGUNDY AND BORDEAUX #23D8                                     PRICE : $695
Many of great deals have been closed over a bottle or two of great wine. Here are two bottles that are deal closers, when only the best will do in the way of a fine wine that has age and distinction.

1989 Chateau Cos D'estournel, Saint-Estephe 
2016 Bouchard Pere Et Fils Corton Charlemagne Grand Cru

VINTAGE BORDEAUX VS NAPA VALLEY CABERNET #23D9              PRICE : $675
The 1990’s were great for wine with a lot of great vintages in Napa Valley and a good number in Bordeaux but only time will tell if 1990 was better in Napa Valley or Bordeaux.. Well it’s time and this gift box gives you two great wines to compare that are now fully mature.

1990 Beringer Vineyards Private Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa
1990 Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste Pauillac

ULTIMATE DINNER PARTY BOX #23E1     Price: $15,900.00
This is the box for those that want to experience the ultimate in decadence.  These six legendary wines are for serious connoisseurs and for those that want to experience the best that the world of wine has to offer.
2012 Salon Blanc De Blancs Mesnil Brut Champagne
2019 Louis Jadot Montrachet Grand Cru
1989 Chateau Haut Brion Pessac
2003 Domaine De La Romanee-Conti Richebourg Grand Cru
2001 Screaming Eagle Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
2007 Chateau D'yquem Sauternes (375ml)

CALIFORNIA CULT BOX #23E2                     PRICE: $1275.00
The “Cult” Wines Of California Have Continued Their Rise To Fame As The Top Producers Like The Ones In This Box Have Continued To Gain In Price Despite The Slumping Economy. Here Are Five Wines That Are Among The Elite In California.
2018 Lewis Cuvee L Red Napa
2014 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Nathan Coombs Napa
2012 Araujo Estate Altagracia Cabernet Sauvignon Napa
2013 Aubert Chardonnay Uv-Sl Vineyard Sonoma Coast
2018 Peter Michael Chardonnay La Carriere Knights Valley

BORDEAUX TREASURES #23E3                            PRICE $3995
Bordeaux produces some of the longest lived wines in the world, here are six classics that will appreciate in quality and value in your cellar.
1996 Chateau Gazin Pomerol
1990 Chateau Figeac, Saint-Emilion Grand Cru
1989 Chateau Cos D'estournel, Saint-Estephe
1989 Chateau Meyney Saint-Estephe
1983 Chateau Lafite Rothschild Pauillac
1982 Chateau Margaux Margaux

THE BEST OF ITALY #23E4                                                                      PRICE: $1650.00
Italy produces more wine that any other country on earth when it comes to number of bottles, number of grape varietals and there is no other country that can match Italy bottle for bottle in each of these varietal categories.  Here is a range of collectible wines that you can drink today or hold for decades to come in your wine cellar.

2005 Fratelli Grasso Vallegrande Barbaresco
2003 Valdicava Brunello Di Montalcino Madonna Del Piano Riserva
2015 Giuseppe Rinaldi Barolo Tre Tine 
2014 Gaja Sperss Barolo
2010 Tommaso Bussola Amarone TB Vigneto Alto
2007 Quintarelli Recioto della Valpolicella 375ml

STARS OF THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE #23E5                         PRICE: $495.00
After making two trips to Australia, a trip to New Zealand, Argentina, Chile and South Africa- I can personally attest to the fact that they are making some of the best wines that the world has to offer in these Southern Hemisphere wine producing regions. 

2019 Leeuwin Estate Chardonnay Artist Series Margaret River
2020 Craven Wines "Karibib Vineyard" Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch
2017 Penfolds Cabernet Shiraz Bin 389 Australia
2016 Concha Y Toro Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon Puente Alto Chile
2013 Craggy Range Sophia Red Blend Hawks Bay
2012 The Mega Malbec Co. Artist Series Blend Mendoza

1982 BORDEAUX SIX PACK   #23E6                                                       Price: $6250
The 1982 vintage is considered by many Bordeaux cognizant to be the goat…Here are six top wines from the greatest vintages of all time from Bordeaux!

1982 Chateau Grand Puy Lacoste Pauillac   
1982 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion Pessac Leognan \
1982 Chateau Lafon Rochet St Estephe
1982 Chateau Margaux Margaux  
1982 Chateau Montrose St Estephe
1982 Chateau Rauzan-Segla Margaux

VINTAGE AMARONE SIX PACK 23E7                                                   PRICE: $1250
Amarone is one of my favorite wines and we have an incredible collection of cellared wines in this box from the land of many cellars.

1988 Paolo Boscaini Marano, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
1990 Bertani Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Veneto
1995 Luigi Righetti Capitel De' Roari, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
1997 Le Ragose Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG, Veneto
1997 Masi Costasera, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico DOCG
2013 Monte Faustino Amarone della Valpolicella