The Luxe Valentine 750 ml

For the couple who normally likes to go “all-out” for Valentine’s Day, getting it just right this year may pose a challenge. It’s not the best time to hop a flight to Miami for a lavish dinner at Nobu, and arranging the usual private concert from John Legend aboard Richard Branson’s yacht will be a logistical nightmare. Thankfully with this set, you don’t have to skimp on the wine (and that’s the most important part).

Roll out the red carpet

2007 Billecart-Salmon Cuvée Louis Salmon Blanc de Blancs Brut Champagne

From one of the world’s foremost Champagne houses, this Blanc de Blancs offers all the scintillating pedigree that you would expect from a Grand Cru Chardonnay grown in Avize, Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, and Chouilly. This is patient, studied, artistry in a bottle. 

Tasting Note: Presenting a pale golden hue, with endless persistence of pinpoint bubbles. Crisp green apple, Asian pear, and citrus notes are matched with chalky minerality, biscuit, yellow flowers, and hints of lilac. Super tight and focused, there is a nervous tension to the palate in the best possible way. The toasty autolytics are perfectly integrated into primary apple and quince flavors, all yielding to a stony mineral expression that persists impossibly long on the palate. Drink now - 2035.

Dunnuck: “A Smokin’ Good Bottle of Wine”

2015 Château Tronquoy-Lalande St.-Estèphe

Upon tasting this release, Jeb Dunnuck didn’t hold back calling this ‘15 “a smokin’ good bottle of wine,” and “a huge success,” before advising readers the wine will be a pleasure to drink for the next 20 years. Vinous founder Antonio Galloni was likewise poetic, noting “The 2015 Tronquoy-Lalande is just as pretty as it was from barrel,” before going on to describe the Cabernet-dominant red as “gracious.” Wine Enthusiast, Decanter, and James Suckling chimed in too in a rare chorus, calling this over-delivering Bordeaux, “powerful,” “impressive,” and “serious,” respectively. 

Tasting Note: Medium viscosity, with a deep purple-ruby color. Classic savory aromas of cedar plank, saddle leather, violets, and allspice perfectly compliment the fresh intensity of black cherry, red currant, and Damson plum. Medium-bodied and with a supple grip to the tannins, the elegance of the wine will draw you into flavors of cherry, blackberry, cedar, and leather. As the wine glides across the palate, it picks up spice and dried herbal notes, with a firm grip to the finish. It expresses the power of St.-Estèphe with subtlety and grace. Drink now - 2035.

A Top Cab from One of Napa’s Best

2013 Wade Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

This 2013 is a wine that Napa enthusiasts need to have in their cellars. Crafted with the help of Napa expert Jason Pahlmeyer—whose first-ever wine received a 94-point score from Robert Parker and who’s earned multiple 100-point scores since—this is a perfectly aged red. 

Tasting Note: Deep purple, just beginning to show a touch of ruby to the rim. Ripe aromas of blackberry and black cherry fruit charge from the glass, supported by mocha, allspice, toast, violets, and a touch of mint. Expansive and supple on entry, this 2013 boasts great tannic structure and a full body, without being too heavy. Waves of black cherry and blueberry fruit wash over the palate, with undercurrents of sweet spice, vanilla, cocoa powder, and clove. A classic Napa Cabernet: ripe, rounded, and rich. Drink now - 2028.

Captivating Premier Cru 

2018 Domaine Larue Les Combes Saint-Aubin Premier Cru

This is the type of wine insiders hope to see on restaurant wine lists for its Meursault-like purity and energy. With a delicate balance and rich aromatics, this is a must-have for Burgundy devotees.

Tasting Note: Medium golden-straw in color, this wine boasts inviting aromas of golden apples, hazelnuts, yellow flowers, allspice, browned butter, and crushed stones. On entry, there is an obvious contrast between the firm focus and rounded edges. Apple, quince, clove, and a touch of flinty minerality work in concert, filigreed but approachable. It’s exuberant now, but destined to improve over the coming decade—we'd recommend buying a few and checking in on it every couple of years. Drink now - 2030.