If I Could Buy Only One – September 27th Vintages Release

We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the September 27th release, which one would it be and why?”

Shanahans The Barking Dog GSM 2023, South Australia, Australia
$19.95, Five Senses Wines & Spirits
Sara d’Amato – I have a soft spot for rotundone, the aromatic compound behind that peppery kick in certain grapes like syrah. (For the chemically curious: it’s a sesquiterpene, known as alpha-guaiene, coupled with oxygen). In this Rhône-inspired Barossa GSM–grenache, syrah, and mourvèdre–the pepper sings in stereo: black from the syrah, and white from the grenache. A sensory study out of the University of Pennsylvania found that 40% of people can’t detect rotundone at all. Which means, for under $20, you can run your own palate experiment. Pepper aside, the wine is a head-turner: a fragrant weave of bramble, rosehip, dried mint, and sage. Complex and finely structured, yet already drinking beautifully. 

There are other ‘Only One’ picks this week that are currently only visible to our premium members. This complete article will be free and visible to all members 30 days after publication. We invite you to subscribe today to unlock our top picks and other Premium benefits.

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Use these quick links for access to all of our September 27th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-premium members can select from all release dates 30 days prior.

John’s Top Picks – September 27th
Lawrason’s Take – September 27th
Michael’s Mix – September 27th
Sara’s Selections – September 27th