If I Could Buy Only One – December 16 VINTAGES Release

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

Editor’s note: In keeping with the holiday spirit we are making all of this release’s “only one” choices available to everyone. Normally, just the first wine would be visible to our non-premium members. If you’re not already, please consider becoming a premium member. As we like to say:
“For the cost of a good bottle of wine we’ll help you discover hundreds of great ones.”

Château De Montfaucon Baron Louis Lirac 2018, Rhône Valley, France
$32.95, Nicholas Pearce Wines Inc
David Lawrason -With the rest of the ‘cru’ recommending this wine in the December 19 newsletter, there may be scant stock available. But it is a great value in a sophisticated, mellow, winter sipping red – ideal for casual holiday meals and gifting. It is 60% grenache with five other Rhone varieties playing bit parts. It is also maturing nicely with ruby-garnet colour. The nose is a bit reserved but broad with notable spice, pepper, underbrush and baked red plum fruit. It is medium-full bodied, fairly soft yet even with more flavour intensity on the palate. All of the above are joined buy a licorice note. The tannins are fairly soft; the flavour length is excellent. Tasted December 2023

Argyros Atlantis White 2022, P.G.I. Cyclades, Santorini, Greece
$22.95, Kolonaki Group Inc

Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2020, Igt Toscana, Tuscany, Italy
$34.95, Noble Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
John Szabo – “What if I could buy only two? To pick only one from the December 16th release is a challenge – I’d happily buy any of the wines on my list of recommendations. But if forced, as our mini ‘only one’ recap demands, I’ll at least choose only one white and one red. The former would be the exceptional Argyros Atlantis White 2022, ($22.95). This is Santorini in everything but official name, made from 90% assyrtiko and 5% each aidani and athiri purchased across the island, as well as press juice from estate fruit. It’s bottled under the less prestigious PGI designation, an internal commercial decision as vines are deemed too young (a “mere” 10-40 years old) to be included in Argyros’s flagship Santorini. Anyone who has followed the skyrocketing price of Santorini’s best will recognize that this is surely the top value for money on the island. For the red I’m going classic and classy with the Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2020 ($34.95). This is for drinkers of top Tuscan wines who would rather not spend in the triple digits, yet neither compromise on pleasure. Sette Ponti’s “2nd” wine drinks like a 1st, from a terrific vintage.”

Megha Jandhyala – My “only one” this week is an approachable, affordable, and delicious introduction to the “Super Tuscan” category, Tenuta Sette Ponti’s 2020 Crognolo. It is composed mainly of sangiovese from a unique clone found growing in the historic Vigna dell’Impero vineyard which was planted to vine in 1935. A small amount of merlot adds softness and nuance to the blend. I love the easy, graceful, transparent beauty of this wine, its radiant flavours of tender red fruit, and delicate notes of spice. It feels velvety and rich, yet lithe and firm on the palate, and is drinking beautifully now, making it a wonderful addition to a holiday party or a special treat to savour by oneself on a cold winter evening.
Michael Godel – Looking for a $35 wine gift that drinks like $100? Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 2020 is made by the same team that produces the exceptional Super Tuscan called Oreno. The “lesser” Crognolo is anything but, taken from just about fully qualified old vines of sangiovese with just 10 percent merlot in Central Tuscany. A warm and gifting vintage to solicit full satisfaction from start to finish from this luxe if so expertly restrained Tuscan wine. Sweetness of natural and pure fruit, dark and glycerin, richly suave like a demi-glacé slowly developed from long-simmered veal bones. Some meat and acid would pair beautifully alongside, like Bollito di Manzo con Salsa Verde. For such an experience seek out Trattoria da Armando in Florence, or do try this at home.

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
Megha’s Picks
Michael’s Mix
Szabo’s Smart Buys