The Only One Goes Green for March 17th, 2018 VINTAGES Release

For today’s St. Patrick’s Day VINTAGES release, we changed it up a bit. Why drink green beer, when you can drink ‘green’ wine!
We asked our critics: “If you could buy only one organic wine from this release – which one would it be and why?”

Our picks from the March 17th VINTAGES release:

John Szabo, MS: If you’re going green this St. Paddy’s day, you can’t get much more inky black than the impenetrable Odfjell Vineyards 2014 Orzada Cabernet Sauvignon. Founded by Norwegian sailor Dan Odfjell, the estate’s vineyards have been Demeter-certified since 2012 (biodynamic) and the entire operation is certified Sustainable. The Orzada a massive, super ripe, jammy and slightly dried and baked black fruit flavoured cabernet with impressive dedication to concentration. I’d say this is a maximum extraction of flavour and depth – I doubt you could get much more from this terroir. Best 2018- 2026.

Michael Godel: For St. Patrick’s Day I can’t think of a better wine, in name, sense of place and practice. Greenhough 2016 Sauvignon Blanc is from Nelson (New Zealand), a modern day version of the Old Gaelic Irish name “Niall.” The winery owned by Andrew Greenhough (winemaker) and Jenny Wheeler is (organic) green indeed and their label depicts the annual ritual of the harvest. Sauvignon Blanc is one of the greener white wines and this from Greenhough is quite mild-mannered, with admirable grace and restraint.

David Lawrason: To-Kalon, the historic home vineyard at Robert Mondavi, is not certified “organic” but it is farmed sustainably. And the flavours of this magnificent white are certainly green. Robert Mondavi 2013 Reserve Fumé Blanc To Kalon Vineyard is a powerful, intense barreled sauvignon with some semillon with intense aromas of toasty oak, spearmint, fresh herbs and exotic persimmon/orange. It is full bodied, fairly creamy and thick but driven by this intense greenness – lime peel, arugula and huge hit of citrus and bitterness on the finish. Excellent to outstanding length.

Sara d’Amato: The Château de Nages 2015 Vieilles Vignes Costières de Nîmes is a terroir driven, organically produced wine offering great purity of fruit, a full-bodied profile and notable balance. Typical notes of black pepper and anise are generously aromatic. Satisfying and substantial but not overdone. A blend of 75% grenache, 10% syrah, 10% mourvèdre and 5% carignan partially aged in French oak with the remainder in cement. Sustainably crafted with a light touch of winemaking, it showcases the long, hot 2015 vintage of the southern Rhône with its substantial body and thick black fruit. Despite expected ripeness, the wine avoids feeling overly jammy and retains a sensual, musky, peppery quality – signs of careful picking and high quality old vine fruit.

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.

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