Gift a big red wine this Father's Day

David Falchek,, The Times-Tribune, Scranton, Pa.
·3 min read

Jun. 16—For Father's Day, the go-to gifts are big, pricey red wines (or Bourbon).

The wine industry is moving away from characterizing certain wines as feminine or masculine — something the United Kingdom is slow to give up. Unless you know Dad is a Chablis or Burgundy hound, or if he has a hankering for some other cult white wine, he'll probably appreciate an indulgent red one.

Napa Valley is a geographical indicator he's sure to recognize. While Napa Valley wines come in a range of price points, Father's Day offers an opportunity to splurge on something he wouldn't get for himself, which is the point of a gift. The market for Napa Valley wine is mature, and you are more likely to get what you pay for. Up to a point, pricier wines from Napa can and do reflect quality.

Black Stallion Estate Winery Gaspare Vineyards 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon smells of jam and mint; is full-bodied with flavors of currant, eucalyptus and caramel; and has a long finish. $85 from the winery. HHHH 1/2

You may see Black Stallion on state store shelves from time to time. Another reliable Napa brand with more availability in the state is Newton.

For another great indulgence for Dad, turn to Port. This affordable luxury shouldn't be confused with sweet wine or the generic Port grandma enjoyed. The deeply flavored fortified wine from Portugal offers a high-octane experience at a value. A sipper, Port's serving size is a modest 3 ounces, so a 750 ml bottle goes a long way. Keep it in the refrigerator after opening for months, at least until Thanksgiving when you can enjoy the rest with pumpkin pie. Surely, it will be gone by then.

Graham's 10-Year Tawny Porto smells of dried cranberry and hazelnut with a pronounced flavor of dried figs and ripe red raspberries with honey. While it tastes sweet, fine port has acids and tannins that reduce the perception of sweetness. $33. HHHH 1/2

The top wine for vast Chilean producer Concho y Toro, Don Melchor 2017 Puente Alto Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon is made with care and attention, which involves hand-harvesting and aging it in small oak barrels. It smells of black currant, mint and cocoa and has an intense blackberry flavor. Tannins and acids are present but not pronounced, which shows the wine's drinkability while hinting at its agreeability. Past vintages in Pennsylvania start at $79, a relative steal, and go up to to $110 (they're the same price on wine.com). HHHH 1/2

The 2018 vintage of that wine earned a 100-point score from a well-known wine critic. If your dad earns a 90-plus on the fatherhood scale, this would be a good choice for him.

You may want to see what your dad is currently drinking. Chances are the producer he already likes and knows has a top-of-the-line wine. It's worth some searching or checking out the producer's website to find a limited-production special release.

GRADE: Exceptional HHHHH, Above average HHHH, Good HHH, Below average HH, Poor H

DAVID FALCHEK, executive director of the American Wine Society, reviews wines each week.

GRADE: Exceptional HHHHH, above average HHHH, Good HHH, Below average HH, Poor H

DAVID FALCHEK, executive director of the american Wine Society, reviews wines each week.