SCM Beverage Brokers: The Top 5 "Must Have" Holiday Wines For Collectors

DAVIE, Fla., Dec. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- For avid wine collectors who are dedicated to keeping their cellars stocked for the holidays, there are five luxury wines that every serious collector should have in his or her wine cellar. Making it this year on Santa's naughty or nice list of fine wines includes a few standards and some surprises any collector serious about wine should not be without. Here are the top five "must have" holiday wines for 2014.

1. 2012 Asura Cabernet Sauvignon Mt. Veeder, Napa Valley, California $469

Cigar & Spirits Magazine just announced that the 2012 Asura Cabernet Sauvignon from Mt. Veeder in Napa Valley, CA, was their Number One wine for 2014. It's newly released and only available in very limited quantities. It is definitely the "must have" luxury wine for any serious collector this holiday season.

According to Alessandra Rotondi, the highly credentialed New York wine writer, restaurant wine consultant and certified sommelier, the 2012 Asura Cabernet Sauvignon has joined the ranks of the top luxury wines in the world.

"It is the 'wine of the kings' descended from the dry vineyard at 1,900 feet on Mt. Veeder," said Rotondi. "It brings forth the true attributes of its namesake: divine angels to some and tempters to others, yet seductive and alluring to all. It has an intense ruby red color with youthful shades and bright highlights plus aromas of intense purple lilac, followed by scents of ripe, juicy fruit. It fills the mouth with fleshy plums and berried fruits, evolving to sweet licorice, caramel candy and cinnamon with hints of smoky flavors, coffee and a flint minerality that extends its long, charming finish."

Asura is currently available for retail purchases through Wine Watch in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. Call 954-523-9463 or visit www.winewatch.com for more information.

2. Champagne Krug Grand Cuvee Champagne, France $175

Every holiday cellar should have some of the bubbly on hand for celebrating. For this holiday season, try this non-vintage Champagne Krug Grand Cuvee. It has a deep golden color and fine, vivacious bubbles, predicting fullness and elegance, according to www.wine.com. "It has aromas of flowers in bloom, ripe and dried fruit, marzipan, gingerbread and citrus fruits with flavors of hazelnut, nougat, barley sugar, jellied and citrus fruits, almonds, brioche and honey."

According to the Wine Spectator, who rated this a 97, "This wine is all about balance and the integration of power and finesse, with finely honed acidity supporting flavors of quince paste, dried black cherry, spun honey and candied orange zest, while rich notes of roasted walnut, coffee liqueur and toasted cardamom resonate on the finish. Hard to stop sipping."

3. Joseph Phelps Insignia 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, California $200

Another California Cab made the list. This 2010 Joseph Phelps Insignia Cabernet Sauvignon is a blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 4% Merlot and 2% Malbec. It has an inky hue with layers of perfumed plum, dark berries, bergamot, mocha and graphite aromas followed by hints of spice box, according to www.wine.com. "The texture on the palate is ultra-concentrated and silky with blackberry flavors and a touch of black pepper, cocoa and curry spices leading to the lush, lingering and focused finish."

The Wine Enthusiast, who gave this wine a glowing 97, said "This is, as always, a gorgeous wine, rich, balanced and delicious. It shows classic Napa Valley ripeness, with blackberry jam, plum, dark chocolate and sweet oak flavors. Plush and velvety doesn't begin to do it justice. Despite its fabulous lushness, this is a wine to age. Depending on your taste, it will provide excellence from now until 2030."

4. Marchesi Antinori 2010 Solaia Toscany Italy $236

This red blend from Tuscany was named the "Top 100 Cellar Collections of 2014" by Wine Enthusiast Magazine. According to Kerin O'Keefe, "Already one of Italy's most iconic bottlings, this gorgeous 2010 is already a classic. Its complex and intense bouquet unfolds with ripe blackberries, violets, leather, thyme and balsamic herbs. The palate shows structure, poise and complexity, delivering rich black currants, black cherry, licorice, mint and menthol notes alongside assertive but polished tannins and vibrant energy. This wine will age and develop for decades. Drink 2018–2040."

5. 2010 Penfolds Grange South Australia $750

Completing the list of must-have wines for 2014 is the 2010 Penfolds Grange from South Australia. Penfolds Grange marks the 60th consecutive vintage of this fine Australian wine. According to www.penfolds.com, "this once-experimental wine delivers a powerful expression of Penfolds multi-vineyard, multi-district, blending philosophy. The 2010 Grange has already received three perfect 100 point scores from leading wine critics, including Tyson Stelzer, Andrew Caillard MW and Nick Stock. Penfolds winemakers said that outstanding vintage conditions produced fruit with excellent colour, concentrated flavour development and integrated tannins to make a fitting release for this significant 170 year anniversary for Penfolds."

Chief Winemaker Peter Gago called it "A kaleidoscopic sensorial unfolding. Worth the wait – after a one decade deliberation this wine strenuously asserts Grange's positioning in the new millennium." This release of Grange is promising as long a life as many of the best vintages in the wine's 60-year history.

About SCM:

SCM Beverage Brokers, founded by Samuel C. McCartney, is a Florida-based national beverage brokerage that focuses on beer, wine and spirits.

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SOURCE SCM Beverage Brokers