I consulted my friend Steven Kaiden, owner of the New York wine shop Winfield-Flynn, for his top holiday wine and spirits selections. For each category I asked him to pick a favorite luxe choice – for those of you who want to splurge this season – and a “luxe-for-less” option if you’ve already spent too much on your holiday shopping. Enjoy!
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.
Selections for great holiday wines and spirits by Winfield-Flynn:
BOURBONS:
Basil Hayden Bourbon 8 Year ($49.99)
The eponymous Basil Hayden’s® Bourbon dates back to 1796, when Master Distiller Basil Hayden Sr. created a recipe unlike any other. He used a traditional corn base, but mixed in small grains in his mash to capture the spicy flavor of rye and complement the sweet smoothness of corn. Basil Hayden’s is unequaled in that it utilizes twice as much rye in it as the other bourbons in the Collection. Enriched by a hint of peppermint, it impresses with notes of pepper balanced by slight citrus overtones, and a spicy, warming finish. Aged eight years at a relatively mild 80 proof, Basil Hayden’s has a broad appeal and is equally enjoyable alone or in cocktails such as a Juicy Basil and Basil Bubbly.
Black Maple Hill Premium Small Batch Kentucky Straight Bourbon 16 Year ($169.99)
Aged for 16 years, Black Maple Hill Small Batch Bourbon is bottled in small batches straight from Heaven Hill Distillery oak casks in Bardston, Kentucky. The technique and the fact that Heaven Hill is the largest, independent family-owned distillery in the state makes for an especially rare find of superior quality and taste. Black Maple Hill is a nicely smooth bourbon. A 95-proof liquor, it expectedly has a bit of heat but it’s met with a surprisingly mellow and dry finish with hints of butterscotch and oak.
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.
Krug Brut Champagne Grande Cuvée NV ($175.00)
One whiff and you know this is serious stuff. This multivintage blend nails the essence of Krug, intense richness of fruit and flavor without weight. The aromas of baking brioche, coconut, candied citrus and leather pick up roasted coffee and grilled nuts on the palate, permeating the senses. Profound depth and complexity, mineral notes, and long finish.
TOSCANAS:
2008 La Massa Toscana Rosso ($29.99)
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.
2007 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:
2002 Coturri Lost Creek Pinot Noir ($28.99)
Light ruby in the glass with a very full-bodied palate. It has the classic structure of Pinot, the proverbial “iron fist in the velvet glove.” Mushroom & barnyard aromatics on the nose. While bright Bing Cherry dominates the palate. The wine finishes with vibrant fruit & zesty acidity.
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.
See selections for great holiday wines and spirits by Winfield-Flynn from 2010
