If I Could Buy Only One – November 19 VINTAGES Release

We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from this release, which one would it be and why?”

($54.95, Vino Wine Merchants Inc. (Profile)
David Lawrason – Here’s a cellaring candidate and a great value in Barolo. I found myself smelling this wine a half dozen times before taking a sip. The Aurelio Settimo Rocche Dell’annunziata Barolo 2017 sports a classic and classy nose of tar and roses, with those aromatic extremities in-filled by intense currant/pomegranate and cherry fruit, marzipan, savory almost evergreen/juniper herbality and old barnwood. It is medium weight, firm, elegant, slightly volatile and sour-edged but brimming with flavour. The tannins remain very staunch and drying, portending a very long future for this wine. 

($63.95, John Hanna & Sons)
Sara d’Amato – For sherry drinkers looking for something a little atypical or for those of you looking to expand your comfort zone over the holidays, have a gander at this Lustau Almacenista Cayetano Del Pino Y Cía Palo Cortado De Jerez from the partnership between Lustau and the almacenista (aka sherry broker/wholesaler) Cayetano del Pino, specialists in this rather rare type of sherry. They employ a unique solera variation where the oldest casks, a.k.a. the solera, are on top in the warmest spots, concentrating their flavours through slow evaporation while the youngest criadera, who have recently lost their flor, benefit from more humid and cooler temperatures below. The bottled wine is over 20 years of age and the result is a very salty, dry and distinctive sherry with an amber colour reminiscent of an Amontillado and a nose of brine and mineral. The palate is more reflective of an Oloroso featuring toasted almond, roasted fig, caramelized onion and honey. I’m thinking of this alongside roasted pecans or even a well-brined turkey with a tart cranberry sauce.

($64.95, Ian J Campbell and Associates)
Megha Jandhyala—The Terre Nere Campigli Vallone Brunello Di Montalcino 2016 is an opportunity to savour a concentrated and nuanced wine that is drinking splendidly right now. It can also be cellared until the end of the decade or so for those who would like to see it develop and evolve further. Ideally, I would do both. From Castelnuovo dell’Abate, a small medieval village in Montalcino, this sangiovese is a mesmerizing labyrinth of flavours, including kirsch liquor, black cherries, red plums, dried rose petals and resinous herbs, cloves, and nutmeg. I find the combination of dried and ripe fruit aromas especially compelling, almost magnetic, while the palate is refined and polished, with a comforting warmth.

($34.95, Mondo Vino)
Michael Godel—The cost of Premier Cru Chablis has climbed into near equal “other” Bourgogne echelon which makes this recent release of the Domaine Bègue Mathiot Vaillons Chablis 1er Cru 2019 all the more inviting. Spot on Vaillons from Bègue-Mathiot befitting one of the warmest Left Bank Premier Crus with layers of sun-kissed fruit steadied by the hill’s kimmeridgian lime. Like a salty streak running through lemon meringue and then a wine of more texture than many in Chablis. Drinking at peak already and ideal for seafood, all the time. An affordable splurge for immediacy and pleasure.

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
Michael’s Mix
Sara’s Selections
Megha’s Picks