If I Could Buy Only One – July 19th Vintages Release

We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the July 19th release, which one would it be and why?”

Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022, Ontario, Canada
$39.95, Shaunpierre Inc
Michael Godel – The quality of the wine is all that matters, however for more reasons that will soon come to light, the Black Bank Hill Cabernet Franc 2022, Lincoln Lakeshore must be my Only One for the July 19th, 2025 VINTAGES release. Juiciest of the cabernet franc and also one of the more tannic, a.k.a structured expressions. Comes at the palate (especially) in waves and with layers waiting to be peeled away, exposed and experienced. There is everything in this ultra special cabernet franc and it will live a very long time. If you have any plan to track some down through VINTAGES locations, do it as soon as possible. The inventory will not last.
Megha Jandhyala – My “only one” this fortnight is Black Bank Hill’s 2022 Cabernet Franc from Lincoln Lakeshore in the Niagara Peninsula. I chose it because I find myself inextricably drawn to its intense perfume. It is so immediately captivating- savoury herbs, sweet tobacco blossoms, violets, ripe plush red fruit, vanilla bean, and toasted brown spices come together in a resonant, richly layered, yet uplifting harmony. The palate is equally in balance – it feels lithe and nimble, full of flavour, its medium weight supported by refined tannins and bright acidity. There is a real sense of freshness and coolness here that telegraph’s this wine’s Niagara origins and I find myself taken by its blithe and relaxed, yet compelling charisma.

Pipoli Aglianico Del Vulture 2021, Basilicata, Italy
$17.95, Profile Wine Group (Barrique)
John Szabo – My only one this week takes us to the rugged slopes of Mount Vulture, an extinct volcano in the sparsely populated southern Italian region of Basilicata: the Pipoli Aglianico del Vulture 2021 stood out for me for both pleasure and value. I’ve been a big fan of wines from the area since first visiting over a decade ago; I find them more rustically charming than the bigger, sturdier aglianico of Taurasi in neighbouring Campania. It’s a little cooler on Vulture at higher elevations, and the particular biotype of the aglianico variety grown in the region is different enough to yield a unique style, lighter but especially savoury and pot pourri-inflected, as in this well-priced example. Expect a mid-weight palate with succulent acids and fine-grained tannins, perfect to wash down a flank steak with chimichurri or a grilled portobello.

Blomidon Tidal Bay White 2024, Nova Scotia, Canada
$26.95, Le Sommelier Inc.
David Lawrason – I have had several surprisingly good wines from Blomidon in recent days a festivals in Ontario. This one is actually easily available. It is a squeaky clean, bright, beautifully balanced Tidal Bay – the unique Nova Scotia designation that only permits Nova Scotia grapes in the blend, and that wine cannot exceed 11%. This sits at 10% using mainstay L’Acadie Blanc with Seyval Blanc and New York Muscat, the latter projecting its lifted floral and grapefruit aromas. The nose also shows green apple, lime and spearmint. It dances and tingles with great acidity balanced perfectly by some sweetness. Serve cold as an ideal patio sipper.

Use these quick links for access to all of our July 19th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-premium members can select from all release dates 30 days prior.

John’s Top Picks – July 19th
Lawrason’s Take – July 19th
Megha’s Picks – July 19th
Michael’s Mix – July 19th