It’s hard to justify opening a magnum for a small dinner with a friend or two. But if your guest list numbers more than eight — particularly if they’re the jovial type — you’ll probably need an extra bottle of everything anyway. With Thanksgiving just over a month away and the holidays close behind, entertaining season is upon us. Today we’ll offer a simple suggestion to dress up your holiday dinner table: large format bottles.
There’s just something more festive about serving wine from magnums — perhaps it’s the need for a group to justify pulling the cork. It’s also true that wine often ages better in magnums, where the air-to-wine ratio is lower than a regular bottle. But whether you plan to age them or not, it’s hard to deny they’re simply more fun to enjoy.
We’ve collected six wines in magnum, and one in 3L Jeroboam (four bottles in one). If there’s a party or a family gathering in your future, consider one of these to make it a bit more festive.
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SAINT CLAIR Crozes-Hermitage 2014 (1.5L)
Basset’s 2014 Crozes-Hermitage is dark and dense, yet not the slightest bit heavy. At 13%, it’s chewy and mouthfilling, but doesn’t wear out your palate. The profile is classic Northern Rhône syrah: savory black fruit, black pepper and bacon in the nose, with clove and violets in the mouth.
Ansonia Retail: $50
sale price: $42/bot
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON 2
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SAINT CLAIR Crozes-Hermitage blanc 2014 (1.5L)
Basset’s white is a Rousanne-Marsanne blend (70/30), in the style of a classic northern Rhône. The nose is soft and enveloping, with tropical notes of mango, pineapple, and green tea. The mouth is rich and round, but well balanced, showing nectarine and honey notes.
Ansonia Retail: $50
sale price: $42/bot
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON 2
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FOULAQUIER Petit Duc 2013 (1.5L)
The 2013 Petit Duc is elegant and delicious. The nose is complex and beautifully expressive, showing deep black cherries, earthy fruit, and cool spring flowers. The mouth is clean and dark, with notes of wild cherry pie and cassis. The splash of Syrah helps to smooth out the tannin.
Ansonia Retail: $64
sale price: $54/bot
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON 2
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FOULAQUIER Gran’Tonillieres 2011 (1.5L)
This wine shows Foulaquier’s signature expressiveness and complexity, the result of meticulous, low-intervention biodynamic winemaking. Raspberries dominate the nose of this wine, joined by cool earthiness, leather, and rosemary. The mouth is full and rich, but beautifully balanced, with delicate stoniness and notes of blueberry jam on toast.
Ansonia Retail: $64
sale price: $54/bot
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON 2
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GOUBERT Gigondas 2012 (1.5L)
It’s dark and smooth and full, with pleasant red fruits playing beautifully off the provencal spices below. The nose shows bright red flowers and dark rich fruit, hitting high notes and low notes simultaneously in a harmony unusual even for the Cartier family. The mouth is sturdy and meaty, with cool dark tannins and impressive length.
Ansonia Retail: $64
sale price: $52/bot
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON 2
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GOUBERT Gigondas “Florence” 2010 (1.5L)
The nose is brooding and pretty, showing toasted black fruits, lavender, and chocolate. The mouthfeel is rich and silky, with plums, raspberry, and tobacco. Josh Raynolds of Vinous awarded this wine 93 points, calling it “pure and impressively focused,” with “excellent clarity and lingering florality.”
Ansonia Retail: $96
sale price: $82/bot
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING ON 2
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LAZARET Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2009 (3L)
From one of the region’s most renowned estates, Vieux Lazaret’s 2009 Chateauneuf-du-Pape is a treat. Awarded 90 points by Vinous’s Josh Raynolds, the nose shows raspberries, cherries, and spring flowers. The mouth is smooth and rich, showing lavender and raspberry. (NOTE: Shipping will take an extra week for this bottle.)
Ansonia Retail: $275
sale price: $219/bot
FREE EAST COAST SHIPPING
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or call Tom: (617) 249-3657
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Terms of sale. Ansonia Wines MA sells wine to individual consumers who are 21 or more years of age, for personal consumption and not for resale. All sales are completed and title passes to purchasers in Massachusetts. Ansonia Wines MA arranges for shipping on behalf of its customers upon request and where applicable laws permit.