If I Could Buy Only One – August 10th & 24th Vintages Releases
We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from August’s releases, which one would it be and why?”
Alpha Estate Turtles Single Vineyard Malagouzia 2023, Greece
$18.95, Kolonaki Group Inc
John Szabo – My only one this week is made from a grape that was nearly extinct just a quarter century ago, rediscovered and widely replanted since across Macedonia. The region in this case is called Amydeon in the Florina prefect (that gives the name to the geographical indication), across the hills from Naoussa on an elevated, windswept, sandy plateau. Angelos Iatridis is the assured hand behind Alpha Estate’s 2023 Turtles Vineyard Malagouzia capturing the variety’s inherent aromatics which verge frequently into the tropical fruit spectrum. Indeed, sauvignon blanc drinkers will find this comfortably familiar, alongside lovely freshness on an oak-free frame. Well worth discovering.
Estate Argyros Assyrtiko 2022, Santorini, Greece
$45.95, Kolonaki Group Inc
Megha Jandhyala – I vacillated between two wines from the latest Vintages release in trying to choose my “only one” this week, but ultimately, my mind kept returning to the 2022 Estate Argyros Assyrtiko. Gnarly basket vines, over a century old, growing in sandy, inhospitable soils give rise to this classic yet singular expression of Santorini. I love that it is savoury, smoky, and stony, yet also perfumed, and always intriguing and enigmatic. Fruit flavours do not take center stage here, providing dimension and depth instead. Most striking of all is its brilliant acidity, distinct salinity, and ever so delicately rounded palate. I plan to buy a few bottles of this for my cellar so that I can explore its evolution over the next decade.
Regaleali Cavallo Delle Fate Grillo 2022, Sicily, Italy
$23.95, VIN PASSION (The Case For Wine)
Sara d’Amato – The nose alone brings a smile to the face, this salty, briny, and authentic expression of grillo from a well-respected estate is worthy of the detour for those unfamiliar with the variety. There is a slight wildness captured more on the nose than on the palate, with notes of peony, thyme, fennel, and sweet lemon curd with distinctive minerality. Racy yet ethereal, and notable value.
Michael Godel – Godello’s return to WineAlign’s Only One is surely connected to the fact that he will be leaving for Sicily one week from today. Regaleali Cavallo Delle Fate Grillo 2022 is the only one because if choosing just one grillo from anywhere in Sicily this would have to be that one. A gift from Tasca d’Almerita’s owner Alberto Tasca, a maker of great Sicilian wines from many parts around the island. From Tenuta Regaliali near Sclafani Bagni in the contrada of the same name and this grillo is the “cricket,” recalled from Italian fairytales as the Cavallo delle Fate (horse of fairies) because the insect carries them on his back. Cavallo delle Fate, a.k.a the “fairy horse,” a play with words and (magical) concepts to describe the crossing of catarartto and moscato, to arrive at grillo, like taking two sources of equine (fairy) light to create a unicorn. Or something like that because grillo like this is fanciful and airy, come away with a lighter touch than many produced on the island of Sicily. Reminds of sauvignon blanc from Sancerre though lighter and brighter while also sweetly herbal and quite fine.
Chartron Et Trébuchet Les Grand Epenots Pommard 1er Cru 2020, Burgundy, France
$135.95, HEKTARS AGENCE INC.
David Lawrason – The problem in making this my Only One, is that I would have to buy at least three bottles to accomplish my mission. And that would be to see for myself how long this will age. It is one of the ‘biggest” red Burgundies that I have encountered for awhile. It is delicious now – deeply hued, youthful and appealing with very lifted aromas of ripe cherry/pomegranate, sweet almost chocolaty oak, lilac and spice. But it also has the serious weight and balance – with quite firm, almost chewy, but not out of proportion tannins. And it is this sense of proportion within its largesse that intrigues me most.
Use these quick links for access to all of our Aug 10th Top Picks & Aug 24th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-Premium members can select from all release dates 30 days prior.
Lawrason’s Take – Aug 10th , Lawrason’s Take – Aug 24
Michael’s Mix – Aug 10th , Michael’s Mix – Aug 24th
Megha’s Picks – Aug 10th , Megha’s Picks – Aug 24th
Sara’s Selections – Aug 10th , Sara’s Selections – Aug 24th
Szabo’s Smart Buys – Aug 10th , Szabo’s Smart Buys – Aug 24th
