12 Great Wine Values for Gifting Available Now at Empire Wine

I've been doing some holiday gift basket shopping online the past couple weeks. While I like the idea of a [hopefully] polished presentation there's undeniable uplift in the cost of most gift baskets and wine is no exception.

For one family in particular I just wanted to get them a tasty case of red wine. And especially since they live in New York, Empire Wine came to mind. Their inventory was fresh in my mind after stopping in for a visit to their Albany store front on the way back from Cooperstown with our boys last month.

I was thinking if there was a Wine Deal Hall of Fame, Empire Wine would be a first ballot shoe in. They just consistently carry great wines at great prices, ship quickly, and get it done.

I perused their site and put together what I think is a nice mixed case of reds. Here's what I bought...

What to Buy

Bodegas Alto Moncayo Veraton 2012

This more affordable Veraton botting from Alto Moncayo has been an absolute breakthrough for me this past year. Whereas Alto Moncayo proper is a spectacular blockbuster of a wine, it can come off a bit boozy and just a bit too much on a weeknight. The Veraton is more moderate in every way. Lower alcohol, more affordable (around $25 vs. $40), and more balanced. A terrific guilt-free indulgence the closer you can find it to $20. Read more...

Sette Ponti Crognolo 2012

I was really impressed with this while tasting it at the winery in Tuscany, and it wasn't just a matter of being "under the ether"while on vacation. I bought a few bottles of them at a great price once we got back and cranked through them quickly. And I enjoyed it with family at Il Mulino at Walt Disney World while on vacation. What I like about it is its new world fruit while being undeniably an old world wine. Love the price point too, especially compared to Sette Ponti's flagship Oreno bottling. Read more...

Felsina Chianti Classico Riserva 2010

Along with Rancia this was one of my two favoites while tasting at Fontalloro this summer. It's pure class but it needs time to show well. Lay this down for a while and enjoy it with a meal.  Read more...

Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

I don't think I've ever specifically highlighted this wine here on the blog but I do pick it up regularly when I find it under $20 and I'm looking for a rich yet affordable Napa Cab. I like the label and it's just a joy to drink. Empire tends to run the price pretty lean on this one in particular so I think it's a nice add.

Laetitia Pinot Noir 2012

They had this for $14.99 at Trader Joe's in Framingham last month. I mentioned it to a friend and he noticed they'd been cleared out of it. WWP effect? ;) They've still got the 2012 at Empire, with a slightly higher price, and they've reloaded at TJ's with the 2013. Haven't tried it yet. Read more...

Orin Swift Locations 'E-2' Spanish Red Blend 2012

A rich and juicy red that's a crowd-pleasing no brainer to pop open and enjoy. Read more...

Belle Glos 'Meiomi' Pinot Noir 2013

Winemaker Joe Wagner is reliably delivering vintage after vintage with this ubiquitous fruit-forward California Pinot Noir. The Wagner Family is behind Caymus and other well-regarded wine brands. Read more...

14 Hands Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

I've never had this wine that I recall but a very good friend with a sharp palate has a theory about finding a certain kind of value wines: Attend high end functions at places like the Ritz and the Four Seasons and see what they're pouring. He says you'll see 14 Hands being poured a lot. They don't want to tarnish their brand by pouring junk and they want a nice looking label that pleases the well-heeled crowd. I like the approach. Give it a whirl!

Columbia Crest 'H3' Cabernet Sauvignon 2012

I've long been a fan of Columbia Crest, and their H3 lineup hits a real value sweet spot. With their 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon raking in a 92 Spectator rating this seems to be a high point for the label. I've had it. I like it. I'm buying a lot of it. Makes a great gift for colleagues and friends. Super solid ~$10 Cab? We could use more of those. Read more...

Bodegas Borsao Garnacha Tres Picos 2012

I first tasted this at The Capital Grille and have since grown to love pretty much everything Borsao does. They're adjacently responsible for the Alto Moncayo wines and it's sometimes hard to immediately discern which wines they're responsible for. Besides Tres Picos another to check out is Monte Oton. Every one of these wines are reliable mind-bending values.

Ramsay Pinot Noir 2013

A reader asked earlier this year what I'd recommend for a sub-$10 Pinot Noir for a wedding pour. This wine doesn't quite hit that price point but it does delivery significantly more enjoyment than it costs. Read more...

Columbia Crest 'Grand Estates' Merlot 2012

This is an old favorite I've rarely gone wrong with. The 2003 bottling was one of the first wines I went out and bought a case of after reading a 90+ point review in Spectator and loving the first bottle I bought of it. If you're looking for a reliably delicous sub-$10 wine remember Columbia Crest Grand Estates.

Bonus Wine!

Juan Gil Silver Label 2012

Somehow I forgot to add this ever-reliable QPR king. I opened a bottle of this 4 nights ago, and enjoyed a pour from it over the course of several nights. I only sealed it with a simple $1.99 stopper and it got better and better each night. It's surprising that such an affordable wine behaves this way but it bodes well for its quality. Back up the truck at the prices Empire dishes this one out.


Question of the Day: What are some of your favorite wine shops for gifting? What are some of your favorite wines to give as gifts this holiday season?

I hope you have a terrific holiday season. Cheers!