Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

I am assuming they drink bottles at this price point or will be able to recognize this is a special bottle? There is nothing more awkward than getting a cheery thanks and having to dorkily let them know it isn’t random plonk. I know it is different, but my motto when bringing wine to friends house is keep it in the $25 and under range as it ends up on anonymous (and no, I am not going to tag it)counter with the rest of the bottles. If it is opened same night, half the time the group is a little tipsy and not really able to tell the difference.

Yes they drink good wine, it's something they love. They're family so I'd be bringing it to a small family gathering. Not a party.

https://www.totalwine.com/wine/top-100-wine-spectator/c/1000009?&pageSize=24&aty=0,1,0,0&pid=cpcerformance+Max+US+CALI+ENG+SPART::google::


Total wine has the top 100 from The Wine Spectator- a respected magazine in the industry.

Anonymous wrote:

I am assuming they drink bottles at this price point or will be able to recognize this is a special bottle? There is nothing more awkward than getting a cheery thanks and having to dorkily let them know it isn’t random plonk. I know it is different, but my motto when bringing wine to friends house is keep it in the $25 and under range as it ends up on anonymous (and no, I am not going to tag it)counter with the rest of the bottles. If it is opened same night, half the time the group is a little tipsy and not really able to tell the difference.

Yes they drink good wine, it's something they love. They're family so I'd be bringing it to a small family gathering. Not a party.

I am assuming they drink bottles at this price point or will be able to recognize this is a special bottle? There is nothing more awkward than getting a cheery thanks and having to dorkily let them know it isn’t random plonk. I know it is different, but my motto when bringing wine to friends house is keep it in the $25 and under range as it ends up on anonymous (and no, I am not going to tag it)counter with the rest of the bottles. If it is opened same night, half the time the group is a little tipsy and not really able to tell the difference.

Anything opus one

Where are you located? We can recommend a good wine store! It's hard to recommend a specific wine because each store will have different things in stock, and there are lots of good options.

Some questions to help you ask for the right thing:
- Do you know anything about what the recipient likes? You can use descriptions (light and fruity, heavy, intense, dry) or you can give examples of what you've seen them drink.
- Do you want something that they should drink right away, or are you looking for something they can store for a special occasion down the road? Certain types of wines "cellar" better than others.

In that price range, I personally would lean toward a California cabernet, a Bordeaux, or a Brunello. But the wine store can guide you better!

Are you close to McLean, VA? Jon at the Wine Outlet and staff at Chain Bridge Cellars would be good to ask for guidance. Arrowine in Arlington has helpful staff too. I enjoyed a Cabernet from Cakebread Cellars (Napa) recently. It may be more commercial than you are looking for. Price does not always = good tasting wine. You are a thoughtful gift giver. Cheers!

Go to Total Wine and ask the staff for help.

This is a job for a wine store. The sales staff lives for this stuff, and they are not going to look down on you or try to scam you just because you're not a wine drinker (if that's why asking the experts wasn't your first impulse)

I have would like to get a family member a really good bottle of red wine for their Christmas gift. But I don't drink so I have no idea what I'm looking for.

Suggestions on a red wine that would be interesting, maybe not something they've tried, and delicious?