The truth is, everyone loves wine...including NBA Players.

Speaking of wine, a player whose game is aging just like fine wine is LeBron James, currently in his 18th year and still at the top of his game and at the top of the NBA. 

LeBron and Damian Lillard were recently seen on Instagram talking about their cabin fever haircuts and their wine preferences while both having a glass of red each.

Lillard has been on a tear as usual; hitting game-winning, clutch shots and dropping 30 to 40 points on some nights. While Lillard previously wasn’t as open with his drinking publicly, he is now starting to love his red wine. LeBron followed it up by stating Oregon has good drinks to choose from as well.

We all know LeBron loves his wine; we see him openly professing his love for it on Instagram and Twitter; once it was even a glass for a pre-game. Back in 2018, a few wine experts closed in on some of his picks and called his an ‘incredible taste.’ Here is The King’s list:

LeBron’s First Choice: the 2008 E. Guigal Cote Rotie La Landonne, Rhone, France

Boozy’s Similarly-Available Wine: Ferraton La Tournee Rouge 2017 750ml

A silky smooth Syrah/Grenache blend with masses of red and black berry fruit nicely complemented by a sprinkling of pepper and spice.

From a renowned producer of the Rhône valley, La Tournée is a typical bistro wine made of Syrah and Grenache grown in the warm and sunny Languedoc. The grapes were blended together and then aged on the lees to add complexity and depth to the wine.

Much like LeBron’s first pick, it is known for its Rhone-style blend. Coming from a known Rhone producer but made in the more approachable Languedoc-Roussillon wine region in France. 

Image from NBA on ESPN Facebook

LeBron’s Second Choice: the 2003 Domaine du Pegau Chateauneuf-du-Pape Cuvee da Capo, Rhone, France

Boozy’s Similarly-Available Wine: XV Chateauneuf Du Pape Anonyme 2010 750ml

Another Rhone blend but this time, from the Southern Part of Rhone. This a Chateauneuf de Pape and ranked 4.1 on Vivino.

"The powerful, rich 2010 Chateauneuf du Pape Cuvee Anonyme reveals an off-the-chart level of extract, lots of glycerin (nearly 16% natural alcohol) and copious black cherry, blueberry, forest floor, lavender and graphite characteristics.” according to a 96 Robert Parker Rating.

LeBron’s Third Choice: the 2003 Caymus Vineyards Special Selection Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, USA

Boozy’s Similarly-Available Wine: Overture Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 750ml

Opus One created a fine second wine called Overture. Much like LeBron’s third Choice, this Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its expressive aromas of fresh red fruit.

Overture displays a vibrant garnet color with notes of bright cherry. It contains red currants that are underpinned by more earthy tones of ground cocoa, cedar and vanilla. Extended barrel aging gives the wine an elegant texture accentuated by round tannins and a soft mouthfeel.

LeBron’s Fourth Choice: the 1997 Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia Bolgheri, Tuscany, Italy

Boozy’s Similarly-Available Wine: Ormanni Chianti Classico 750ml

LeBron’s Fourth pick is a ‘Super Tuscan’ that comes from Italy but is actually an interesting blend of the traditional Bordelaise grapes of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc.

Instead of the traditional Sangiovese-led Italian blends, 'Bron seems to like his reds strong and bold. Here’s an affordable classic Tuscan Wine that gives a good bang for your buck!

The Ormanni Chianti and Chianti Classico are sincere, soil-driven wines, expressive of the Barberino Val d’Elsa area, where Sangiovese takes on a brooding, austere character, while still maintaining a generous, fruity core

Screenshot Captured from Carmelo Anthony’s YouTube Channel

“The reason that I enjoy wine so much is … you can never know everything about wine," as stated by Jimmy Butler who was on a live video chat on Instagram with Carmelo Anthony. During the start of the Pandemic, around April 8, 2020 when everyone was staying home, we had Carmelo Anthony and Jimmy Butler catching up on Instagram Live. 

“You gotta have it.”

As Butler and Anthony both expressed how often they keep wines stored, Jimmy followed it up with his favorite and go-to wine, the Sassicaia 2010. He has 500 to 600 at home--wow! 

Butler hasn’t been in the league for as long as Anthony has been, but he has been on a tear as he led his Miami Heat to the NBA Finals last year. 

Anthony also brought up how he got into wine. It started out with this dining ritual he had with his New York Knicks teammates called, “Two-Bottle Sundays.” But, nowadays he goes for the 1986 Mouton-Rothschild.

Watch Carmelo Anthony and Jimmy Butler talk about wine, the NBA and Mark Wahlberg here!

You see, much like we are wine lovers, these NBA superstars love their wine as well. The question now is… If you were to have some wine with any NBA player, who would it be? And what kind of wine would you be drinking?

All this wine talk got you craving for wine? Check out Boozy Wines and much like these NBA Superstars, remember to drink moderately!