If I Could Buy Only One – May 26, 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 May 26th VINTAGES release:
John Szabo, MS: A red that checks all the right boxes this week is the 2016 Kloof Street Red. There’s a lot of pure and honest wine here for under $20 (a blend of mostly syrah with a splash of cinsault and carignan), deep and fruity, made without artifice. I love the floral side, the fresh black fruit character, and the absence of obtrusive oak flavour. Just a tinge of vanilla sweeps through on the back end. Best 2018-2026.
Michael Godel: The VINTAGES May 26th release brings us two wines from one winemaker and I can’t think of one reason to recommend one and not the other. Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 and Filius Chardonnay 2017 are made by Margaret River’s Virginia Willcock. The red shows some great savour and sweet herbal notes. Really delivers with fruit and drive. Intense but time will sooth its meaty, rigid intensity.The white is Australia’s great cool-climate value Chardonnay. The freshness and perfectly ripe orchard bite of this Filius gifts what’s needed for cool, sapid and nearly saline adrenaline. Forget Napa, at this price indulge in yet two more fine Margaret River entries from Vasse Felix.
Sara d’Amato: The exotic nature of this week’s pick is the overarching reason for having chosen it as my “Only One”. Clos Mireille is one of three estates of Domaine Ott that are all organically farmed. A shore-side site that faces the Mediterranean, its schist-based soils and high intensity sunlight provide the exacting conditions for high quality sémillon. A small percentage of rolle (vermentino) adds a heightened aromatic quality that adds character to this otherwise youthfully restrained white. The price may seem steep but once this beauty has had a few more years in bottle, it should be brilliant.
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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
Michael’s Mix
Sara’s Sommelier Selections
