When we only have Love (known tune) with a capital “A”, well… we share it. Valentine’s Day or not. The love of good wine goes in the same direction. It is nothing, however, if it is not shared. It is still necessary to take an interest in the tastes of the other to magnify their scope. Because yes, it would be too easy to somehow impose your own tastes (and have fun in the process) when the other is not necessarily sensitive to it. So, how to do ?
The rookie mistake is wanting to pay top dollar for a wine or spirit that will miss its target with your loved one. “I want to put between $100 and $150 for a gift, do you have any suggestions for me? You’ve heard the catchphrase before. Me too. The amount paid will always be too expensive if, for example, you suggest a Barolo to a person who ultimately hates Nebbiolo while pitching for the sensual roundness of a Merlot. You still need to know that the chosen person likes Merlot. If so, which one?
You will skip the first three wines of Château Angélus, namely Angélus 2015 ($790.50), Carillon d’Angélus 2016 ($215) and N°3 d’Angélus 2018 ($67.50) and opt for this Angelus Tempo 2019 at $39.75 (14861362), a full-bodied and sappy Bordeaux, roasted, woody and spicy in expression, well-rounded in terms of texture and overall length. Only the leg of lamb remains to sweeten the whole thing and delight the valentine or the valentine. (5) © ★★★
She doesn’t even care about all those chenin blanc, malagousia, grüner veltliner and other hárslevelű that are too complicated to describe or drink because her reference is, of course,…chardonnay. No Chablis (too intense and mineral), rather the tender embrace of a regional Burgundy that has a mouthful while knowing how to be loved.
The family home Roux Father & Son on the side of Saint-Aubin offers a version 2020 ($22.85 – 14143230) of good fullness, with a taste of chestnut and button mushroom, endowed with a freshness that adjusts its contours and prolongs the finish. A textured white that will go well with poultry with cream and morels or sautéed sweetbreads. (5) © ★★★
There are people who don’t like bubbles. They have the impression of losing both their balance and their heads, while sparing themselves a little embarrassment for these eructations worthy of the most glorious rumblings, which, during a kiss, even from the tip of the lips, contravenes the most basic propriety.
For others living dangerously, you could pop the cork out of this Grande Cuvée Rosé Hungaria ($13.05 – 12397130) fermented in the bottle (yes!) with a simple and fruity taste of pinot noir, fairly dosed, of course, but with balance (5) ★★ 1/2.
Or grab yourself more than one bottle of this remarkable Cava Coquet 2015 of Mestres ($25.95 – 13944529 – online presale starting February 11) with ripe fruit enhanced by a long slat stay that adds depth. A high quality sparkling wine, at a very friendly price, which will find takers at the table with a salad of squid and quinoa, for example. (5) ★★★ 1/2
The irreducible will demand their champagne! This Heart of Bars blanc de noirs brut, Veuve A. Devaux ($53.50 – 14202543) will be a hit with its broad sap on a vegetable pie, spaghetti carbonara or a slice of ham au jus, as well as on a homemade apple turnover with little sugar for dessert. Ample, rich and full bouquet with nuances of stewed apple, toast and crème brûlée, all generously dosed, but perfectly balanced. (5) ★★★ 1/2
Love has no price ? The artist Julien Colombier declines its essence on three limited editions of cognac Hennessyincluding this multidimensional XO ($325.50 – 11456863) satiny and mellow, nourished by these evocative silences of eaux-de-vie, the oldest of which distil some three decades of discreet confidences. A sophisticated, oversized cognac, as big as a loving heart. ★★★★ 1/2