If I Could Buy Only One – Nov 24th, 2018 VINTAGES Release

For the Nov 24th VINTAGES release, we asked: “If you could buy only one wine from this release – which one would it be and why?”

David Lawrason: Always on the hunt for the world’s finest pinots, the Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir 2015, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon ($49.95) is a precise modern example from a Burgundy-based house that has brought its penchant for fine and elegant wines to Oregon. This is a lovely, ripe yet balanced pinot with very generous aromas of ripe cherry nicely infusedwith spice, wood smoke, forest floor and vanillin. It is medium-full bodied, warming and fairly rich on the palate, but restrained and dry as well. Well composed with fine tannin. The length is excellent.

John Szabo: I sense there’s still lingering disbelief in Ontario’s potential to make fine quality red wine. If you or someone you know still think this, here’s a paradigm-shifter: Hidden Bench Terroir Caché 2015 Unfiltered, VQA Beamsville Bench, Ontario ($44.95). This has been a pretty impressive wine from the beginning, but the 2015 is the finest yet. From organically-grown estate fruit, Hidden Bench has really nailed this Bordeaux blend, offering deep colour, and evidently concentrated, ripe, dark fruit aromatics, with beautifully integrated oak and superb, succulent acids. Tannins are chaining up nicely, reaching nearly a supple, polymerized whole, though it’s not yet near prime drinking. I like the firm acids, the stately structure, the subtle wood, and ultimately the length and depth. A classy wine, best 2020-2027.”

Michael Godel: Love, love, love the immediacy of freshness and efficacy of reduction to make the Henry Of Pelham 2016 Speck Family Reserve Riesling, VQA Short Hills Bench, Niagara Escarpment ($24.95) a hard riesling shell to crack. The bitters and fine botanical tonics are muddled with sweet minty herbs and really fine squeezes of more than a few beneficial citruses. From a passionate vintage that will continue to thrill this is really direct, purposed and salty riesling.

Sara d’Amato: Planted at 1,070 meters, this Uco Valley Malbec has some serious altitude. The Terrazas de Los Andes Reserva Malbec 2015, Mendoza, Argentina
($19.95) is rich and savory with festive aromas of pink peppercorn and juniper complimented by a touch of cedar derived from oak barrel. Consistently a top value, Terrazas de Los Andes Reserva Malbec is naturally food friendly with its tangy vein of acidity and a hint of savory soy. Just shy of full-bodied and effortlessly drinkable, this affordable find is one to stock up on for the holidays.

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.

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