If choosing holiday wine gifts feels like navigating a crowded lineup at Malibu on a Saturday, relax—Robb Report just dropped a clutch guide, and we’re here to translate it into real-world gifting intel. Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen assemble a personality-forward list that hits everything from iconic Champagne collabs to vintage Port in frosted glass. Consider this your curated cheat sheet, with a little SoCal breeze and plenty of opinion.
Let’s start with the in-laws. Play it classic, but add some flair. Dom Perignon’s 2015 Takashi Murakami Edition checks both boxes: a label and box splashed with smiling flowers, and a vintage Champagne that actually sings when the cork flies. Expect citrus blossoms and green apple on the nose, yeasty depth on the palate, and that zippy lemon peel finish that says, yes, we brought the nice bottle. It looks festive and drinks serious—no passive-aggressive side-eye at the tree this year.
For the collector who alphabetizes their cellar like a library, Dominus Estate 2021 Yountville is a smart flex. It’s a Bordeaux-style blend from the historic Napanook site with dark-fruited depth and serious runway. As the authors put it,
“A Bordeaux-style blend, Dominus Estate 2021 is sourced from the Napanook Vineyard.” — Mike DeSimone & Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report
Translation: pedigree intact, tannins polished, 30-year glide path if you can resist popping it next weekend. If you’re gifting to someone who treats inventory systems like meditation, Dominus won’t get lost on the digital shelf.
Your boss loves Italy? Skip the Sassicaia sticker shock and go Guidalberto 2023 from Tenuta San Guido. It’s a Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot blend with cassis, herbs, and silky tannins—and the value play is right there in the source:
“costs a fraction of the price.” — Mike DeSimone & Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report
That’s boardroom-friendly, budget-sane, and Bolgheri-born. Stamp it with a handwritten note and you’re set.
White wine lovers deserve more than the standard Sauvignon Blanc spritz. Animo by Michael Mondavi’s 2021 Heritage Sauvignon Blanc brings nectarine, acacia, a hint of vanilla, and balanced acidity that keeps the whole thing lifted. It’s bright without being brash, layered without turning lecture-y—the kind of bottle that converts the “I only drink red” crowd after two sips.
For siblings—especially the ones with better playlists—bubbles are non-negotiable. Rare 2014 Rosé Champagne has the copper-salmon sparkle, a fine bead, and a whole spectrum of red-fruit and floral notes. And yes, we’re talking vintage quality:
“The 2014 vintage is remembered as being an exceptional year for rosé Champagne.” — Mike DeSimone & Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report
It’s giftable, Instagrammable, and genuinely delicious—not just a pretty face.
Now, for the status seeker who wants to turn heads: Screaming Eagle 2007. The mystique is real, the bank account necessary, and the memory permanent. Heidi Barrett’s era stamped this wine into Napa lore; if your recipient’s life is a series of mic drops, this is the bottle that matches the energy.
Dessert wine aficionados often get overlooked; don’t sleep on Taylor Fladgate 1975 Single Harvest Port. Tawny style from a single vintage, tea-colored glow, and that glorious balance of sweetness and acidity. Hazelnut, butterscotch, dried fruit, holiday spice—the whole cozy symphony—bottled in a frosted flask and boxed in wood. It’s the post-dinner showstopper you’ll still be talking about in March.
Parents? Keep it classic: Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 2021 Artemis Cabernet Sauvignon. It’s mostly Cabernet Sauvignon with small supporting roles from Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Merlot, aged in French oak. Expect violet, blueberry, and ripe black fruit with a graphite-touch finish—comforting but not boring, like your favorite sweater that somehow elevates everything else you’re wearing.
And for the natural wine fan in your orbit, Las Jaras 2022 Cuvée Esmé Anne Chenin Blanc taps into that low-intervention, high-charisma lane. Co-founder Eric Wareheim’s journey from comedy cult hero to legit vintner is well documented, and this pick says you respect their palate without handing them something cloudy just for clout.
How to choose? Match personality to bottle, aim for a story plus substance, and consider opening windows: Champagne for now, Cabernet for later, Port for nightcaps. Wrap with care, add a note, and remember—wine gifts deliver twice: when unwrapped and when opened. That’s ROI even your spreadsheet friends can appreciate.
Credit to the original authors, Mike DeSimone and Jeff Jenssen, and the source site Robb Report for the excellent lineup. Check the article for full tasting notes and more picks.
Source: https://robbreport.com/food-drink/wine/lists/best-wine-to-gift-oenophiles-holiday-season-1237378201/
