Wine Gifts, Wine Delivery, Wine As A Gift, Send Wine - William's Best Picks

Pick #1: Far Niente, Chardonnay, Napa Valley, 2007. (€42.52)

Far Niente was founded in 1885 by John Benson, uncle of the American painter Winslow Homer, who, it is said, might have designed the label. The winery was revived and expanded in 1979 and now holds about 250 acres of vines, mostly in Coombsville east of Napa. This area, with loam and volcanic ash soil, is a relatively cool region, ideal for chardonnay. The 2007, blending grapes from various vineyards here, is an absolute gem: ripe, refreshing, showing pronounced flavors of peaches, cream, and nuts. The wine was stored in oak—65% new—for nine months before bottling. The balance between fruit and acidity is perfect, making it ideal with food, or simply by itself—preferably during the summer in the garden. This is one of the wines I point to for people who think California chardonnay is all heavy fruit and cannot compare favorably to its Burgundian counterpart.

Pick #2: Pahlmeyer, Merlot, Napa, 2006 (€66.13)

Jayson Pahlmeyer is a Napa icon, a perfectionist, reigning over his 72 acres near Atlas Peak, where on a clear day you can make out the Golden Gate. These vineyards are ecologically cared for with the precision of a rocket science. His bottling of merlot has always been one of the top California wines, even for those who think merlot is no match for a Napa cabernet. The 2006 is no exception: extremely rich, fashioned after the grapes—89% merlot with some added cabernet to add to the intensity of taste—have been hand-sorted twice before fermentation to insure top quality juice. The flavors, weaned from 18 months in oak barrels, go on and on with black cherry and dark chocolate dominating. This is a wine that has a high alcohol content—15% –but you wouldn’t know it from the taste. All is there for immense satisfaction with a grilled steak or game. There is no doubt that the 2006 will continue to provide hedonistic pleasure for another 15 years. Don’t miss out on it.