If I Could Buy Only One – Nov 10th, 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 Nov 10th VINTAGES release:

David Lawrason: What a gorgeous pinot! The nose of the Foxen John Sebastiano Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015 ($55.95) shows such lift and complexity with lovely red cherry fruit, vanilla, cedar and nutmeg spice. A bit of smoke as well – all seamlessly integrated. It is mid-weight, creamy, delicate and so refined, with great flavour depth and focus. Excellent to outstanding length. Very California texturally but it had me harkening back to Vosne-Romanee in Burgundy. Special!

Michael Godel: This week’s pick is easy: the Feudo Montoni Nero D’avola Sicilia Doc Lagnusa 2015 ($23.95). Lagnusa is a nickname though proprietor Fabio Sireci doesn’t clarify if it’s him, or perhaps his father, or a farmer on the property. These nero d’avola vines come from cuttings taken off of heritage, most important and ancient Vrucara vineyard material. The vintage accentuates the fruit of the earth in its youth, with full peppery red fruit notes and good quality, if sweetly contested tannins. The Cammarata comune in the Province of Agrigento delivers a sapidity that is purely Montoni. If I were to direct you to only one introductory nero d’avola it would be this from Fabio Sireci.

John Szabo, MS: At this time of year, it’s hard not to reach for big, warm and comforting reds, and one that fits the bill perfectly this week is Domaine De La Solitude Châteauneuf Du Pape 2015 AC Rhône, France ($41.95). It’s properly, rich, ripe, bold, broad and flavourful – a fine vintage for Solitude. I love the mouth-filling dark and red fruit flavours, the garrigue, the savoury notes. Length and depth are excellent. Although drinking well now, this should also age amazingly as well, beyond the ’20s with ease. Best 2020-2030.

Sara d’Amato: A great value in the category of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine de la Solitude’s 2015 ($41.95) incarnation is comforting find for chilly times. Rather rich but not overtly opulent, and dominated by grenache-derived flavours with very little cumbersome wood spice. Undeniably compelling with an abundance of red fruit on the palate that is both sweet and lightly bitter. Due to welcome freshness, the finish has an ethereal quality and lingers memorably. Hold another 2-3 for best expression.

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
Sara’s Sommelier Selections