If I Could Buy Only One – February 6th VINTAGES Release

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

John Szabo – My only one from the February 6th release takes me to one of my favourite regions of the world: Piedmont. The Langhe hills share a kindred spirit and philosophy with Burgundy, and lovers of one invariably find the other, sooner or later. The Enrico Serafino Picotener Nebbiolo 2018 is a fine entry into the region with a twist, highlighting the rare picotener, a special sub-variety of the multifaceted Nebbiolo grape. Serafino describes having found it while working across the Barolo, Barbaresco and Roero areas where Nebbiolo thrives, and dubbed it the “forgotten nebbiolo”, as it was nearly extinct. Serafino is the first to make a separate bottling, and it has lovely perfume in the varietal idiom, very complex and appealing all in all. I also love the palate, the firm but not unyielding tannins, the chalky-talcy texture, the vibrant acids, and the overall complexity and depth. It’s a terrific bottle for nebbiolo fans to discover. Drink or hold into the latter half of the decade.

(#12736, $41.95, Majestic Wine Cellars)

David Lawrason – The 2017 vintage of Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo was first released last fall, and again here in February 2021. I also tasted it blind during a recent episode of Think You Know Wine where I correctly pegged it as a more expensive sangiovese-based Tuscan, and salvaged an otherwise unimpressive performance. I was waffling between and IGT Toscana because it seemed to have some merlot fruitiness, and Brunello di Montalcino, the latter due to the very fine, firm, yet elegant structure. So, I picked Brunello, and lost a point. I also pegged the price $10 higher than it is. So yes, I would easily make this my “only one” pick based on its quality, value and ageability. A six pack would be ideal, with expectation to enjoy this from 2023 to 2028.

(#727636, $34.95, Trialto Wines)

Michael Godel – Why not shake things up a bit, shop in an entirely different way, try something ancient, parochial, idiosyncratic and well, new. Domain Mega Spileo 2014 Grand Cave Dry Red is just that kind of wine. The Mega Spileo monastery and the awe-inspiring vineyard rest at impressive altitude where some of the great flora grows in the Peloponnese Achaian hills. The Grand Cave is a tale of two indigenous mavros, of daphne and kalavrtya, grapes that define this part of the Greek world. They are beautiful and idiosyncratic, entrusted to the hands of winemaker Stelios Tsiris and naturally interactive in their relationship. The blend is forged by local intuition and knowledge to craft one of Greece’s most unique red wines. There are few comparisons and none need to be made. Simply explore the possibility of cultivar and craftsmanship, freshness and longevity. This 2014 from a challenging vintage delivers the best it could under the circumstances for a vivid and hyper-real Achaian experience. Will cellar well for five years or more.

(#466110, $30.95, Kolonaki Group Inc.)

Sara d’Amato – My Valentine’s pick is a dark and deeply satisfying merlot-based blend from Chateau Eglise d’Armens in Saint-Emilion. Offering excellent concentration, still grippy with dusty old world tannins and an abundance of penetrating black fruit. Showing an appropriate degree of evolution and just beginning to drink well now. Decant before your sweetie has their fist sip.