A state store-stocked Napa Valley cabernet splurge that makes for a great gift
And its PLCB sale price is nearly as good as what it's selling for in Delaware.
Even for dedicated bargain shopper, there are times where a splurge makes perfect sense. In the wine world, one of these occasions is holiday gifting, so this week we are taking a break from our usual recommendations of wines under $25 to flag this Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon as a prestige wine suitable for high-end gifting.
There are a number of reasons why wines make great presents. Fine wines are beautiful objects that are easy to wrap and just as appropriate for wine-loving colleagues or clients as for family and friends. They also have a special resonance at this time of year, in that each bottle offers the promise of a memorable experience that is best shared and can spread the warmth and conviviality of the season.
Not every wine store will carry a wealth of options over $50 per bottle suitable for someone very special, but most have at least a handful to choose from. These tend to cluster in the two most giftable of wine categories — big reds and bubbles — due to their reputations for excellence. Many wine styles can come in such a wide range of prices that no one can be sure what price was paid. Then there are “blue chip” categories, which have a special cachet and always cost more, especially when they come from a top-of-the-line winery.
Napa Valley cabernet sauvignon has the most gravitas of all American wines and is rarely found under $50. Dark, rich, and velvety, top-notch wines like this example make the quality of their ingredients and craftsmanship known with decadent flavors of black cherries and touches of both vanilla and chocolate. What distinguishes the fine craftsmanship of wines like this one, though, is not a specific taste per se — it’s the way the flavors and textures reverberate on the palate for minutes after each sip. Wines like this one, from a steakhouse-famous winery, make a perfect gift for red wine lovers who deserve a little touch of luxury in their lives.
Caymus cabernet sauvignon
Napa Valley, California; 14.6% ABV
PLCB Item #87541, on sale for $79.99 through Jan. 4 (regularly $89.99)
Also available at: Total Wine in Wilmington and Claymont, Del. ($74.97; totalwine.com), Canal’s in Berlin, N.J. ($85.99; canalsofberlin.com), and Total Wine in Cherry Hill ($86.97)