Last week I began showcasing my most memorable wine drops of 2016. Starting with bubbles and whites, I offered up five wines that made an impact on my year. It can be hard to define exactly why a wine stands out, especially when thousands of bottles cross my wine-centric universe (I love my job!). It could be the moment, it could be the story behind the wine, it could just melt your mind with unrivalled quality or value or flavour … but for whatever reason, something weird and wonderful etched each of these wines into my memory. Every time I discover a newly adored wine, doors fly open into different worlds of flavour and possibility. And instead of quenching my thirst, it fuels my hunger for more and more vino. So have fun with your bottles, keep your mind and taste buds open, and never stop searching for that perfect wine! Here are my five favourite red (and orange) drops of 2016.
Castello Banfi, Brunello di Montalcino (Sangiovese) 2010, Tuscany, Italy: Now to pay Nana some heed. This Brunello is the epitome of why I love Italian vino. Big, gusto character is the epicenter of this wine (just like Nana), yet it is still approachable, and easy loving. Dark cherries on the nose, elegant spices and wood in the background, and complex structure balance out this beautiful Sangiovese. This wine will show you why Italians do it better.
For four more sips, view the slideshow here. —Laura Starr
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