Aug 22, 2026 · 11 min
Three wines make the case for classic winemaking
Reviewing 3 Wines You Can't End August Without
The tasting frames wine style as a matter of restraint, power, food, and occasion rather than a contest with one correct winner.
- 1The August selections favor traditional-method sparkling rosé, restrained Pinot Noir, and classic-style Brunello.
- 2Big Basin’s 2021 Old Corral Pinot Noir shows how hands-off winemaking can preserve elegance, savory character, and red-fruit freshness.
- 3Gary and Matthew Toro argue that classic and modern wine styles each have a place, depending on taste and occasion.
Don't miss
The tasting’s clearest argument arrives when the hosts contrast classic and modern Brunello styles, then reject choosing one camp over the other.
The brief
Gary Vaynerchuk replaces Brandon Warnicke with Matthew Toro for an August Wine of the Month Club tasting built around restrained, old-school styles.
The tasting opens with a traditional-method sparkling rosé from Santa Lucia Highlands, whose Champagne-like character makes it suitable beyond summer and alongside food.
Big Basin Vineyards’ 2021 Old Corral Pinot Noir brings red fruit and savory depth through restrained, hands-off winemaking rather than extracted California power.
A classic-style 2019 Brunello di Montalcino follows, offering sour red-cherry fruit and approachable tannins instead of the oak-driven profile associated with modern versions.
The episode’s broader point is less a verdict than a truce: classic and powerful wines can both work when the occasion and drinker call for them.
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