by Robert Giles

Getting that perfect gift for the wine aficionado in your life can be a hard task. You don't want to get something that is too common but you may not know where to start. Our Reserve Room comes to the rescue with our selections of vintage and unique wines that can give you that special gift your wine loving friends may not have had.

Anthony Bell spent more than fifteen years honing his craft at other wineries before starting his own winery in 1991. His interest and research into individual clones of cabernet sauvignon led to the creation of spectacular single clone cabernets. These wines abound with rich flavors and amazing aging potential.

Of the different clones that Anthony cultivated, Clone 7 is of particular note. This clone has a bountiful production paired with rich, dark flavors that hold up well even after years of aging. Notes of plum and dark cherry with hints of toasted oak run throughout the wine. The fine smooth tannins of the wine are refined through the use of new and old French oak barrels that create a wine full of history.

Although perhaps most well-known for well-crafted and affordable wines, Beringer is no stranger to showcasing the artistry of their master winemakers. The Beringer brothers got their start in 1875 with a 215 acre plot of land in St. Helena California and have now grown into a massive wine producer.

Private Reserve was created by their celebrated winemakers Ed Sbragia and Myron Nightingale in 1977 with a goal of producing some of Napa's finest cabernet. We currently have vintages created by Ed as well as his successor Laurie Hook. Showcasing notes of blackberry, dark plum, tobacco, and full bodied tannins, these wonderfully balanced wines have a long finish and show the effects of aging on well-crafted wines.

If there is one American wine that combines the grace and structure of old world wines with the youthful exuberance of the new world it would be Opus One.

A joint venture between Baron Philippe de Rothschild and Robert Mondavi. Opus One Winery was founded in 1978 and is located in Oakville California. The goal of these two wine making pioneers was to combine the grapes and viticultural practices of Bordeaux with the soil and climate of California. This Bordeaux style blend begs for cellar aging to show the full depth of character available in each bottle.

The classic Bordeaux blend flavors of cassis, blackberry, and black cherry are evident in its youth. Once aged, the fine tannins of the wine relax and accentuate the hints of vanilla and baking spices. This is the perfect long term gift for someone just starting their collection.

It is not often that a wine is part of a trend that changes an entire country's perception of what wine can be.

Italian wines can be subject to some of the strictest regulations of grape sources and vinification techniques. The Antinori family began producing wines in 1385 and the centuries of experience came to fruition in the 1970s when they became part of a group that vinified wines outside of the traditional D.O.C. rules. These resulting wines became known as Super Tuscans.

Using the Sangiovese grape as the base for their wine, the Antinori's turned to cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc to round out the flavors and structure of their wine. This had a cascading effect among Italian wines that caused people to look more favorably at wines without the backing of the old guard. Rich ripe plum and blackberry give way to candied orange peel with hints of tobacco and vibrant tannins. This is a wine that refutes tradition to forge its own path and it shows in every sip.

While it may not be easy to find something for the wine drinker who swears they've tried it all, these selections show the depth of what can be found in vintage and limited release bottles.

There are also new wineries just beginning to create their own stories such as Quilceda Creek, Ridge Vineyards, and Darioush.

Our wine specialists are always happy to help you navigate your way through the special and significant bottles we have in store and to find the perfect gift that will help Celebrate More this holiday season!