If I Could Buy Only One – November 8th Vintages Release
We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the November 8th release, which one would it be and why?”
Hacienda Terra D’uro Reserva 2011, Castilla y León, Spain
$31.95, Wine Alliance
Michael Godel – The Hacienda Terra d’Uro Reserva 2011, DO Toro label does not deceive. The times they are a changin’ and so this is in fact a Spanish Toro from the 2011 vintage, yet one sip will make us all wonder how that could be possible. Not that it’s perfectly fresh but my goodness such life and energy in infinite ticking persistence is something to behold. Yes there are secondary elements and character but clearly they bring complexity and more interest than before. This is no shrinking violet and maybe 14 years of aging is the godsend to find pleasure at the present time. Whatever the case may be there should be line-ups to get a crack at this 750 mL leather boot of Spanish pleasure. “Oh, but I just thought you might want something fine, made of silver or of golden. Either from the mountains of Madrid, or from the coast of Barcelona.” Drink 2025-2027. Tasted November 2025.
Tenuta Di Renieri Chianti Classico 2022, Tuscany, Italy
$24.95, Connexion Oenophilia
Sara d’Amato – This organic Chianti Classico nails that sweet spot between authenticity and affordability. From the sunny, south-facing vineyards in Castelnuovo Berardenga, it’s a pure sangiovese that speaks of place. Floral, firm, and effortlessly elegant. The tannins have grip and the acidity keeps things lively despite its 14% alcohol. A warm vintage find that the lot of us scored high in value.
Alpha Estate Xinomavro Single Vineyard Hedgehog 2022, Greece
$29.95, Kolonaki Group Inc
John Szabo – A $27 red that tastes like a $40 or $50 Nebbiolo from Piedmont? Sign me up. Fans of the genre shouldn’t miss the Alpha Estate Xinomavro Single Vineyard Hedgehog 2022. Xinomavro (literally “crunchy black”) is the native, thin skinned variety, grown here in the cool climate appellation of Amyndeon, in northwestern Macedonia, Greece. I’ve been following the work of Angelos Iatrides of Alpha Estate for the better part of the last 20 years, and quality now has reached a new level of precision and refinement. He seems to have gotten it all right in 2022, delivering a typically pale garnet coloured, beautifully perfumed red from 100-plus-+ year-old vines in the Hedgehog vineyard at 700 metres above sea level, all fresh strawberries and raspberries, floral and gently spicy. Tannins are relatively soft, a feature of this sandy terroir, while zesty acids feature prominently. It’s like a nebbiolo from the sandy Roero, for an obscure comparative. For enjoyment over the next 2–-5 years.
Gobelsburg Ried Renner 1ötw Erste Lage Grüner Veltliner 2022, Kamptal, Austria
$69.95, Connexion Oenophilia
David Lawrason – From one my favourite white wine producers in the world, this is a classic and historic Danube estate making great age-worthy and profound Austrian gruner. Of course, there are many different iterations around the country, but this expresses the amazing terroir in the terraced vineyards of Kamptal. It pours very deep yellow, just hinting at maturing gold. The nose is reserved and compact showing ripe peach, lemon, candle wax, wood spice and honey. There is a sense it just wants to explode with more aeration and/or age. It is full bodied, rich yet poised. Very elegant indeed, despite its size. Excellent to outstanding length. Tasted November 2025
Grand Tokaj Terroir Selection Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos 2013, Hungary
$82.95, Sylvestre Wines & Spirits
Megha Jandhyala – Having just returned from a fascinating tasting of diverse wines from Hungary, I was especially happy to find that I assigned one of my highest scores this week to a wine from Tokaj! Tasting the 2013 Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos is a delightfully confounding experience – a profusion of flavour and richness of texture and sweetness meets intense acidity here, resulting in an extraordinary and mesmerising balance. A historic and iconic style of wine, Tokaji Aszú, is made by adding concentrated, botrytis-affected furmint berries (all hand-picked by way of multiple passes through the vineyard) to fermenting wine. Painstakingly made, concentrated and complex, this beautiful wine is well worth the $83 price tag. I recommend buying a few bottles of it to treasure and savour over the next two decades.
Use these quick links for access to all of our November 8th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-premium members can select from all release dates 60 days prior.
John’s Top Picks – November 8th
Lawrason’s Take – November 8th
Michael’s Mix – November 8th
Megha’s Picks – November 8th
Sara’s Selections – November 8th
