If I Could Buy Only One – February 17th, 2018 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 February 17th VINTAGES release:

David Lawrason: Sometimes during the long hours of assessing wine after wine at VINTAGES tasting lab, one wine pops out of the line-up with amazing aromatic presence. Better still when those aromas translate on the palate with great focus and intensity, riding very fine texture. This mature Cerbaia Brunello di Montalcino from a fine vintage (2007) stood out on this release. It is from a small winery with fairly high altitude, northwest facing vineyard and indeed there is a very fine, nicely lifted herbal/rosemary note that suggests a cooler site. It has very good energy for Brunello with firm acidity, tannin and excellent flavor depth and focus. And because it is now at perfect prime, you can take it home, open, decant and enjoy it right away.

Michael Godel: Sometimes don’t you just ache for something a little bit different but from a trusted source? The d’Arenberg The Money Spider is so bloody stony, rocky, craggy, mineral McLaren Vale roussanne on par with some similarly crafted Hunter Valley sémillon in terms of that flinty strike and smoky bite. Admittedly there is more fruit up front and even a note of creamy apple custard in the middle but in the end it returns to its elemental ways. Just money from Chester Osborn.

Sara d’Amato – The southern Italian grape variety of greco has so many incarnations from innocuous to glorious and this surprising version from an old cooperative in Campania is much closer to the latter. Cantine di Marzo’s greco has pure old school character with a texture and flavour of lemon oil, notes of macadamia nut and green olive. Pair with your favourite Mediterranean dish and you have a night to remember.

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

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