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Father's Day Gift Guide: Food and Wallet-Friendly Wines

Posted by Leah Greenstein, June 12, 2008 at 2:00 PM

Photograph from Paul Goyette on Flickr

Ah, dad. He taught you how to ride a bike and then how to drive a car. (What was that you said, Dad, about driving offensively?) He even enjoyed your homemade cards well past the point where Crayola was cute. So now that you've got a little spare change, why not treat dear old dad to something special? Skip the traditional ties and grilling gear and try a bottle of wine this Father's Day. These selections are sure to please even the most discriminating palates; they're food-friendly and, fortunately, are priced so you won't have to hit mom up for a loan to buy one.

For the 'Old School' Dad

Try the 1999 Château Labegorce from the Left Bank Margaux appellation. Labegorce is the great château you've never heard of, situated next to the famed Château Margaux. You're dad will pat himself on the back for teaching you to be so savvy. This is old school Bordeaux from a sorely underrated vintage; the tannins, acidity and fruit are singing like the Mamas and & the Papas. Dad will love it for its round, black cherry and plum fruit and spicy, mineral underpinning. And the best part? It's Bordeaux that's drinkable right now! $34.99, from K&L Wine Merchants

For the Wine Geek Dad

If your dad follows wine, he'll know that the 2005 vintage in France is on pace to become the vintage of a lifetime. Unfortunately, this also means that the prices for Bordeaux and Burgundy from that vintage are on par with a semester's college tuition. But, if you look off the beaten track, you'll find amazingly delicious gems like the 2005 Côte de Nuits-Villages, Vieilles Vignes from Domaine Desertaux-Ferrand. The wine comes from the lesser-known village of Corgolin in the Côte de Nuits and is already drinkable (though it will improve with a little time in bottle). Dad will love its high-toned cherry and violet aromas on the nose. In the mouth, it is rich, with fine tannins, Bing cherry and blueberry flavors and a kiss of spice. $24.99, from K&L Wine Merchants

For the Hipster Dad

If your dad's the guy who thinks that Napa cab is so passé, he'll love the Barrel 27 Central Coast Syrah ($15) from up-and-coming winemakers Russell From and Mac Myers. Distinctive and unbelievably good for the price, dad will be the envy of his friends for discovering this gem. An aromatic explosion of boysenberry and black raspberry with hints of white pepper, nutmeg, fennel seed and orange zest on the nose, the complex bouquet follows onto the palate. Everything—the fruit, the acidity and the tannins—is working across the aisle here. This one is cheap enough to buy yourself a bottle, too. $14.99, from K&L Wine Merchants

About the author: Leah Greenstein is a Los Angeles-based food and wine writer. Her favorite bumper sticker says: Talk Nerdy to Me. She also pens the blog SpicySaltySweet.com.

4 Comments | Tags: Father's Day, gift guides, gift ideas, holidays, wine

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