Wine Picks for Fathers Day

Father’s day is just around the corner and you might be puzzled what to get him. Sometimes, the answer is right in front of your eyes. Maybe he’s a wine drinker and you’ve taken it for granted. It's possible it never crossed your mind to buy him a nice bottle or bottles of wine.

Picking out a wine for someone else can be a hassle or even a difficult task, because there are so many bad wines and it’s easy to choose the wrong vintage. Keep in mind that most men love a bold, hearty wine. Most Cabernet Sauvignon and Zinfandels are an easy picks, because these are common wines and they go well with red meats and pastas with zesty sauces.

To make the selection process easier for you, here are a few recommendations for the avid or even the inexperienced wine drinker.

2006 Hahn Estates Central Coast Cabernet Sauvignon
This Cabernet is both robust and hearty with ripe plum, blackberry, and French oak with hints of vanilla and licorice, makes this the perfect wine for nearly any grilled delicacy.
Price: $9 to $16

2007 Ravenswood Vintner’s Blend California Cabernet Sauvignon
This is a common wine that can be found in near any grocery chain. I chose this vintage for its simple but elegant flavors and aromas. On the palate it has a complex smoothness of black cherry and pepper, with a touch of leather and smoke. It has a lovely floral nose. If you can get your hands on a 2005 or 2006 vintage, by all means, snatch that up at once. Get one for yourself too. Price: $8 to $13

2007 Cline Ancient Vines Zinfandel
This vintage is one of the finest zinfandels under $20. Not only does this wine have delightful flavors of wild berries and vanilla oak, but lasts long after the first sip. Upon every sip, you crave more. Price: $12 to $19


2005 Bianchi Heritage Selection Zen Ranch Zinfandel
This vintage is the lap of luxury for wines. It’s heaven in a bottle. If you’ve never tasted a wine that felt alive, you haven’t lived until you’ve tried this vintage. This is a bold wine with cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and mocha chocolate with a note of spice and pepper.
Price: $12 to $26

If you want to get your father more than a bottle of wine, go to a local wine bar and get him a wine club membership. The typical price for a wine club membership will vary, but normally around $50.

Wine of the Week: 2006 Hahn Estates Meritage Red Wine

The wine of the week goes to the 2006 Hahn Estates 2006 Meritage. In the year prior, Hahn Estates produced the multi-award winning 2005 Meritage, but unfortunately this exquisite wine is now out of circulation. If you can find a bottle of the 2005 Meritage, cherish it and hold on to it for a special occasion.

The next best thing is the 2006 Meritage. While during unpredictable weather with an unusually cold climate and wet weather during the first quarter, it forced growers to start a month behind. Towards the end of 2006, temperatures were more favorable, yet crops yielded fewer grapes than in previous years. What was produced, the grapes were healthy, but wines became more acidic as a result for many winemakers across the regions of Monterey and Paso Robles.

One of the highlights for 2006 is the Hahn Estate 2006 Meritage, because its flavor seems unaffected by unpredictable weather. This Meritage comprises of 33% merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the remaining mixture of Petit Verdot, Cabernet Franc, and Malbec all contribute to make this a memorable wine. This bold but soft tannin wine produces a satisfying taste that isn’t abrasive or over powering nor does it have weak attributes. It’s perfectly balanced.

On the nose, a light aroma of asparagus and dark chocolate truffle is evident followed by black cherry and raspberry, while on the palate gives a big taste of rip cherry produces a grip of flavor that lingers long after you swallow. That lingering flavor makes you crave more of that big bold Bordeaux like flavor.

My Food pairing suggestions
While traditionally, this type of wine would go good with red meat, it isn’t a spicy wine, so go light on the peppery meats. I recommend lamb chops, veal, filet mignon, or a lightly seasoned steak. The Meritage also goes well with a variety of Italian dishes. Surprisingly, this wine went well with halibut, but other wine connoisseurs might strongly disagree pairing any red wines with any type of seafood.

The pricing for this wine is between $13 to $20 per bottle. It may seem pricey, but for the quality, it really isn’t. For more information on Hahn Estate wines, click Hahn Estates Winrey