If I Could Buy Only One – July 8th, 2017 VINTAGES Release

As part of our VINTAGES recap, we asked our critics: “If you could buy only one wine from this release – which one would it be and why?”

Our picks from the July 8th VINTAGES release:

David Lawrason – Back in May I visited some of the legendary wineries of Priorat – including Clos Mogador, Clos Figueres and Mas Alta. The wines showed finesse uncommon in wines so powerful. Although I didn’t visit Torres’ Priorat property I did get to taste Salmos two days later, and I was impressed by its approachability and value – one third the price of the big guns but almost as impressive. This is very generous with classic blackberry fruit and herbs swaddled in new oak vanilla and spice. It is plush and ripe, and very appealing, but I would still age it about three years.

Michael Godel – Hello world, welcome to the latest Bachelder project, the Wismer Vineyard #2 “Foxcroft Block” Chardonnay 2013. The Cool Chardonnay i4c2017 celebration returns to Niagara two weeks from today and so deeper and deeper into the micro terroir we go, with thanks to the monk himself. Strike me down as a cool climate instigator if you must but Thomas Bachelder takes on the challenge, fresh and new as ever. This Wismer Block dubbed #2 is purely and expressly Foxcroft, a divided up for purchase and worked by many vineyard. Few do it justice like the unstressed symbiotic relationship between Bachelder and grower Craig Wismer. From the ideal session of 2013 we have creamy and cracked, fragmented mineral intensity in opposite attitude to Wismer-Parke but more on the fleshy and structured side. The wood is bigger and more integrated, the flesh ripping and of the sort of musculature that shows no aggression nor needs any explanation. It’s just big and beautiful, not to mention an ambassador for cool.

Sara d’Amato – Scoring 90+ across the WineAlign board and mentioned more than once in the previews of this VINTAGES release, this under $20 find exceeds all expectations. This traditional blend of syrah, grenache and mourvèdre grown in a sub-appellation of Saint-Chinian, from Cave de Roquebrun, offers generous aromas of black pepper spice and wild violets. There is more than just great typicity here, complexity is above the mean due to some whole cluster addition and fruit expression is at its maximum due to a slow, cool inbox ferment. Both rich and vibrant with summer-ready accessibility.

Use these quick links for access to all of our Top Picks in the New Release. Non-Premium members can select from all release dates 30 days prior.

Szabo’s Smart Buys
Lawrason’s Take
Sara’s Sommelier Selection
Michael’s Mix