I am looking for a gift for a family friend who is a wine enthusiast. Unfortunetly I know very little about wine, and won't be able to learn enough to make a good $100 selection in the next week . I know that she especially likes reds, and that her 500+ bottle collection is mostly California wines.

I would like to get her something that will mature in about 5years (so that she can save it for an occasion of her own) and possibly something different that she (as an enthusiast) could appreciate (since I realize that $100 won't be the most expensive wine in her collection).

Thank you for your recommendations.

Buying wine as a gift for somebody with 500 bottles cellar may be trecherous. If I was in your position, I'd get her GIFT CERTIFICATE from the biggest wine store in town. This way you'll be assured that she'll like what you gave her.

Get her a bottle of Krug NV Champagne.

Everyone can use a great bottle of bubbly, and this will last for a decade or more.

PH

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
Get her a bottle of Krug NV Champagne.

Everyone can use a great bottle of bubbly, and this will last for a decade or more.

PH

Those were my thoughts when I read this thread. Even someone who already has a bottle or two of this will enjoy another.

...and what if she doesn't like Champagne, period? I know a few wine lovers like that.

Anyone who does not like Champagne does not deserve to live....

PH

quote:

Originally posted by PurpleHaze:
Anyone who does not like Champagne does not deserve to live....

PH

This is an exact response I was waiting for....you never disapoint me.

I for one don't like top notch extra dry Champagnes and only drink NV with fatty fish,
which is a good "c'mon" for your next and expected remark.

The "safest" choice might be something like a Phelps Insignia, Montelena Estate, or Ridge Monte Bello. All are close to $100, ageable, and will recognized by any California collector. And if she already has some, she won't mind another bottle.

what The Prof said

Trainee, if you want other, similar suggestions, let us know

OK,

I'll be different for a change.

When I give somebody a gift bottle, especially one that I hope to maybe share in one day in the distant future, the last thing I would do is give something safe reliable, and ultimately anonymous.

What I would do is look for something reasonably exotic. Now your friend likes new world red wines, and if California is her favourite area, its safe to say that she likes Cab-Sav.

There are some very good Argentinian and Chilean Cab-Savs, but somebody else would have to guide you there. I haven't had any cab-sav from South Africa worth recommending. I am extremely prejudiced against New Zealand Cab-Sav, and perhaps if Vinserve sees this thread he might toss in his two bob.

Which leads me to the wide brown land. From prices posted on the internet you may be able to get a 1996 Penfolds Block 42 Cab-Sav within your price range. If you can do so, get it. All reports are that this is not only a rare wine, but a simply stunning wine.
Other Australain Cab-Savs with a cachet of exotica include:
Mount Mary Quintets - be careful on the vintage
Tahbilk Reserve CS - again an Australian producer where vintage variation plays a big part.
Cullen
Moss Wood
Suckfizzle
Vasse Felix Heytesbury (These last 4 are from Margaret River and there is far less vintage variation to watch for, but 2001 is the pick of recebt vintages)

The other big names in Australian CS are either common as muck, or don't have that degree of exotica that I would be looking for.

Pauly, I like your approach too.

As a wino I also like Pauly's approach, but the "safe" (ok, wimpy) plan may be more appropriate for a novice who might not want to negotiate the world of identifying and then sourcing a hard to find bottle. That's the great thing about this forum, Trainee now has several different ideas and can pick the one that best fits his/her fancy and level of comfort.