If I Could Buy Only One – May 13th, 2017 VINTAGES Release

As part of our VINTAGES recap for May 13th, we asked our critics: “If you could buy only one wine from this release – which one would it be and why?”

Our picks from the May 13th VINTAGES release:

John Szabo, MS – As covered in my weekly report for May 13th, outdoor drinking season is upon us. When sipping outside, think big. In that vein, the Domaine Les Grands Bois 2015 Cuvée Philippine is perfect. The inky purple colour already sets you up to experience an intense, super-ripe, blackberry liqueur-like red, with a beguiling mix of wild herbs and pot-pourri, while the palate is plush, velvety, and mouth-filling, thick enough to cut with a steak knife. It can more than stand up to the intense sensory competition of the great outdoors.

You might just need to buy two bottles of the next wine…

Michael Godel – A mix of arinto and rabigato are the formula for this striking Douro white, a category under-valued and under-appreciated in this Portuguese red saturated and hyper-focused market. Even though this Quinta da Rede 2014 Grande Reserva Branco does represent terrific dry extract, tannin and mineral value, it is several steps up and beyond the normal and the banal. It is also barrel fermented in new French oak, which could go either way, but here it satisfies with texture and length. Is it creamy and nutty, sure, but this is a top quality production from a top tier producer. Talk about and of the town I’d say.

David Lawrason – Later this month I will be spending ten days in the Vinho Verde and Douro regions with my mind now widely opened to the white wines of northern Portugal. I have been further primed by a Vinho Verde seminar led by Michael Godel and the Douro tasting held in Toronto in recent days. In short Portugal’s whites are emerging as some of the most exciting and best value whites in the world. One needn’t worry much about grape varieties as most are multi-grape blends of indigenous varieties. This Quinta da Rede 2014 Grande Reserva Branco is based on the high acid arinto and the structure producing rabigato. It is barrel aged (the word Reserva is often the indicator) but not “oaky” with a lifted, generous, almost perfumed nose and an elegant, intense and distinctive palate. I could feel the Douro’s granite boring onto the finish.

Sara d’Amato – I am always on the lookout for great value Bordeaux especially when priced for every night enjoyment. Château de Panignon is run by a father and daughter team who manage over 90 hectares of sustainably farmed estate vineyard in the relatively humble appellation of Médoc. Carefully picked to avoid ripeness, this fresh Bordeaux blend offers impressive aromatic intensity with black pepper and violets that leap forth from the glass.

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

Szabo’s Smart Buys
Lawrason’s Take
Sara’s Sommelier Selections
Michael’s Mix