If I Could Buy Only One – March 7th Vintages Release
We asked our writers,“If you could buy only one wine from the March 7th release, which one would it be and why?”
Kir Yianni Cuvée Villages Xinomavro 2022, Macedonia, Greece
$21.95, The Kolonali Group Inc.
John Szabo – Although this was intended to be an earlier maturing version of xinomavro, you’ll be happily surprised by how well this will age and, indeed, how it needs more time in bottle to come into its own. Try after 2028 — this will be such a great wine for the money — or hold even late into the 2030s for an unexpected treat.
Tesselaarsdal Pinot Noir 2024, Walker Bay, South Africa
$68.95, Connexion Oenophilia
Sara d’Amato – In honour of International Women’s Day and this week’s Women & Wine theme, here’s a Pinot Noir by Berene Sauls, founder of Tesselaarsdal. The winery takes its name from the farming hamlet of Tesselaarsdal near Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, where Sauls was born. She is a descendant of freed slaves who became beneficiaries of the valley’s land, first settled by Johannes Tesselaar in 1810, an inheritance the winery’s name tributes. More than 15 years ago Sauls began working as a nanny at Hamilton Russell Vineyards; a growing fascination with wine eventually led her to establish her own label, focused on cool-climate Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. A savoury, saline Pinot Noir from Hemel-en-Aarde, bursting with bright cherry fruit and impressive concentration. At just 13% alcohol it remains notably balanced and elegant. Energetic and expressive, the wine is lively yet layered, with enough depth and intrigue to keep you reaching for another sip.
David Lawrason – This is the fourth VINTAGES release (Flagship Stores) of one my favourite global pinot noirs. It is from Berene Sauls, who was born in the coastal region Walker Bay region, and learned winemaking at Hamilton-Russell, where she was first employed as a nanny, and now manages operations, while making her own wines named after the village where she grew up. It pours bright, medium pale ruby. There is immediate lift to the nose with cranberry, red cherry, evergreen, oak vanilla and toast – very pretty and engaging. Same life on the palate with great acid minerality and fine tannin. Nicely energized and balanced, with a certain juiciness. Excellent to outstanding length. Curiously, the thin wax atop the cork smells of honey, because it is beeswax.
Dewazakura Omachi Junmai Ginjo Premium Sake, Yamagata, Japan
$38.95, Metropolitan Wines & Spirits
Megha Jandhyala – For the first time, my “only one” is not a wine at all, but rather a sake! Of everything I tasted as a part of the most recent Vintages release, Dewazakura’s Omachi Junmai Ginjo left the most memorable of impressions. It has a sirenic quality, with its bewitching perfume of pink honeysuckle blossoms and subtle, intricately integrated notes of orchard fruit, jasmine rice, and wet stones. Its delicate voluptuousness is beguiling too. A hint of citrusy bitterness on the finish adds a sense of freshness as well as dimension. Depth, length, and a thoroughly charming texture make this sake irresistible – I have already bought a couple of bottles for myself!
Use these quick links for access to all of our March 7th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-premium members can select from all release dates 60 days prior.
John’s Top Picks – March 7th
Lawrason’s Take – March 7th
Sara’s Selections – March 7th
Megha’s Picks – March 7th
