A Guide to Holiday Wines and Spirits
Winfield-Flynn has been family-owned for 70 years, serving Manhattan for three generations and counting. It is the longest continuously operating business in Murray Hill, and over the years it has undergone three expansions to become the unique, thriving shop it is today. They value all of their customers, and offer thoughtful and personalized expert service whether you’re a wine novice or a collector, looking for a good bargain or a rare vintage.
I consulted my friend Steven Kaiden, owner of Winfield-Flynn, for his top selections on holiday wines and spirits. I asked him to give us his favorite luxe choices – if you want to splurge this season – and a “luxe for less” option for those of us who have already spent too much on our holiday shopping. Enjoy!
Selections for great holiday wines and spirits by Winfield-Flynn:
BOURBONS:
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Reserve 12 Year ($65.99)
The perfect combination of age and proof, this sweet and full bodied whiskey can compete with any after-dinner drink. Coppery gold with flavors of vanilla, caramel, toasted almonds, and a linear citrus kick, this bourbon is a divine match for savory dishes like foie gras with figs or pork with bacon and apples.
Pappy Van Winkle Bourbon Reserve 23 Year ($259.99)
Described by Wine Enthusiast as “an American distilling masterpiece,” this is the cognac of bourbons. A bouquet of tobacco, honey, leather, dark chocolate, toffee, oak, and vanilla gives way to bold flavors of caramel, coffee, vanilla, dried fruit, and cocoa. Enjoy on a special occasion with pecan or apple pie, cinnamon ice cream, and a cigar.
CHAMPAGNES:
Pol Roger Brut Champagne NV ($40.99)
A classic and delicate beauty, Pol Roger’s non-vintage Champagne never fails to exceed expectations. Flavors of peach, spice, and green apple mingle with subtle brioche and floral notes to achieve an invigorating glass of supple, balanced bubbles. An obvious choice for a celebratory aperitif, Champagne is also great with egg dishes, caviar, buttery and fried foods, and even Chinese takeout.
Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Cuvée Elisabeth 2000 ($184.99)
Celebrated for its coppery pink glint and pearlescent sparkle, Billecart-Salmon’s Cuvée Elisabeth has a delicate hazelnut nose, marzipan and herb notes, and a long spicy finish. Rosé Champagnes pair beautifully with a wide range of foods. Drink this one with whole roasted chicken, a tomato tart, salty cheeses, or fresh berry desserts.
TOSCANAS:
2007 La Massa Toscana Rosso ($34.99)
Ripe perfumed red fruit, violet, licorice and leather spill out of this unusually graceful and balanced young Super Tuscan. Sangiovese dominates, with small amounts of Merlot and oak-aged Cabernet Sauvignon blended in to achieve a deeper texture and bouquet. Drink this wine now with charcuterie, rustic meat dishes, and minestrone soup.
2001 Querciabella Camartina Toscana IGT ($125.00)
Querciabella’s Super Tuscans blend the fruit-forward intensity of Sangiovese with leather, espresso and earth tones of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah. Exuberant raspberry, cherry, and mocha flavors make the 2001 vintage a great match for red meat, pasta with sausage, tomatoes and mushrooms and aged cheeses (today or in 10 more years).
CABERNETS:
2008 Vina Cobos Felino Cabernet ($23.99)
Vina Cobos is the Argentinian winery of Napa Cabernet master Paul Hobbs. This Cab is full-bodied, velvety, and bursting with flavors of black currants, blackberries, licorice and chocolate. Pair it with boldly seasoned meats, stews, pungent cheeses, and bittersweet chocolate.
2006 Cakebread Dancing Bear Cabernet Sauvignon ($134.99)
Built for aging but also delicious right now, this Cabernet blend from Napa’s Howell Mountain district has spicy aromas and concentrated flavors of black fruit, wild cherry, and ripe fig. Firm tannins and a long finish complement its intensity and make it a great bottle to pair with grilled steak, roasted meat, herbed root vegetables, and rich sauces (either tonight or 5-10 years down the road).
PINOT NOIRS:
2008 Owen Roe Sharecropper Pinot Noir ($34.99)
Owen Roe sources his grapes from small vineyard sites in Oregon’s Willamette Valley and shares profits with the growers. Red berries, dark cherry, earth, and oak dominate this mellow but fruity young Pinot. Pair with savory roasted chicken, game birds like goose or squab, and goat cheeses.
2006 Kistler Cuvée Natalie Pinot Noir ($185.00)
Inspired by Burgundy’s finesse but infused with Sonoma’s fruit and body, Kistler Vineyards produces some of the most sought-after Pinot Noirs of the New World. The Cuvée Natalie is an elegant bombshell of chewy cherry, blackberry, spice, and earth. Age this Pinot for 10 years or open it now with a meal of mushroom risotto, roasted duck, and creamy chocolate cheesecake or mousse.
SAUVIGNON BLANCS:
2010 Cape Mentelle Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc Margaret River ($17.99)
One of the first wineries in Australia’s Margaret River region, Cape Mentelle consistently produces high quality, flavorful wines. Their blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc is lively and substantial, with abundant lemongrass, lime, and clove notes. Try it with artichoke dip, Caesar salad or Thai food.
2007 Peter Michael L’Apres Midi Sonoma County Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon ($110.99)
Sir Peter Michael’s intensely zesty Sauvignon Blanc is blended with a small amount of silky Semillon to soften the ripe gooseberry and citrus tones of this full and fragrant wine. Considerable minerality and a smooth, long finish make it a thought-provoking match for raw oysters, creamy soups and chowders, cheesy polenta, or spiced holiday cakes.
