If I Could Buy Only One – Aug 18th, 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 Aug 18th VINTAGES release:

David Lawrason: It is not my highest scoring wine on the release, nor did it even rate 90 points, being a bit shy on length of flavour. But I am really intrigued by County cabernet franc as it matures, having had two killer good examples from the 2010 vintage. So I would buy this Huff Estates 2016 South Bay Vineyards Cabernet Franc to age it. Huff winemaker Frederic Picard has pulled off impressive colour depth and surprising franc ripeness and exactitude in this warmer vintage. The site is virtually on the water in South Bay at the southern edge of the County. It shows violets, raspberry and vague tobacco notes on the nose, nicely framed by some oak resin. It is mid-weight, slightly tart-edged and a bit green, with franc’s earthy/tobacco finish. The length is very good. Age it about three years, may go ten.

John Szabo, MS: If you have patience, and a decent place to store wine for a few years, I would double down on the Brokenwood 2016 Hunter Valley Sémillon. You’ll be richly rewarded when this wine reaches 5-6 years of age, even more after its tenth birthday, when those beautiful hot butter and honey-drenched toast flavours typically emerge. The 2016 is another brilliant wine from Brokenwood, with a track record now over a couple decades long, made in the classic, uncompromising Hunter style. It’s deceptively powerful with just 10.5% alcohol, sharp acids and excellent length. For $23, you won’t find a more satisfying wine for the cellar.

Michael Godel: The old vines, expertly run cooperative and ample experience are more than enough to put forth another great and classic Kuhlmann-Platz 2016 Riesling. The methodology is sound and the track record as good as it gets to celebrate the traditional and the honourable. The fruit-sugar-acid balance is spot on, spoken with true Alsace clarity and such a wine will live much longer than an $18 riesling released in 2018 should ever be allowed to do.

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
Szabo’s Smart Buys
Michael’s Mix