If I Could Buy Only One – December 6th Vintages Release
We asked our writers,“If you could buy only one wine from the December 6th release, which one would it be and why?”
Black Hills Brut Sparkling, BC VQA Okanagan Valley
$55.00, Andrew Peller Limited
Sara d’Amato – If John’s fizz guide didn’t already satisfy your sparkling cravings, here’s one more worth popping. This is Black Hills’ second release of its Brut, built mostly on 2019 fruit. A chardonnay-pinot noir blend aged 40 months on the lees plus a year in bottle, its’s now showing gentle maturity. It’s clean, polished, with lifted autolytic complexity and a spine of nervy restraint. A classy find for the holidays, it spends more time en triage than many non-vintage Champagnes yet it comes at a far friendlier price. A standout value. Stock up.
Garage Wine Co. Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Maule Valley, Chile
$19.95, Nicholas Pearce Wines Inc.
John Szabo – If you’re missing your California cabernets, this is an easy replacement, and a huge value from Chile: Garage Wine Co. Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Maule Valley, Chile ($19.95, #47671). It’s a deeply-coloured, immediately impressive, dry-farmed, old vine cabernet from the Maule Valley, replete with ripe, dark fruit, wild herbal-spice and genuine grit and old vine density, effortless balance and complexity. There’s a ton of character on offer for the price, and drinkability is high. I’ve seen less wine at three times the price. At there’s a local connection: it’s made by Toronto-native Derek Mossman Knapp.
La Chapelle De Lafaurie Peyraguey 2015, Bordeaux, France
$40.95, Dbino Inc.
David Lawrason – At this time of year I start to look for little treats to give as gifts. Wines that are rare, educational and have a personal connection. This ten-year-old Sauternes ticks all the boxes. The personal connection is that I have visited Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey and it felt like a journey into antiquity. The chateau wall tower fortifications were built in the 13th Century, the vineyards began producing in 1618. And it felt like nothing had changed (although in 2014 it was sold and a small hotel and fine dining restaurant were soon opened). This is the second wine of the 2eme Grand Cru Classe property, making the experience more affordable. So too the fact this is a half bottle, that would slip into a stocking. Now at ten years of age the colour has morphed into a deep gold. The nose is classic – almost unctuous with dried apricot, marmalade, honey, creme brulee, fine wood spice and a touch of mossy botrytis. It is full bodied, almost treacly thick and very sweet, yet finishing with dried orange, rancio notes. The length is outstanding, with some bitterness on the finish. Flavours that seem steeped in antiquity as well.
Stratus Red 2021, VQA Niagara On The Lake, Ontario
$55.20, Stratus Vineyards
Michael Godel – Not that the 2021 Stratus Red is an underdog because well, track record, but it is a sleeper of an Ontario red wine. Cooler vintage follow-up to the warmest 2020 which in today’s climatic world can be a reprieve and a breeze for the mastery of a Stratus assemblage. Also now with two mad scientist minds working as one for this vinous mosaic of cabernet franc, merlot, petit verdot, malbec, tannat, syrah and cabernet sauvignon. All tolled 653 days in barrel, only four percent of it new. A 2021 kind of spice piques the palate and the finest grains of tannic sand grip in their own special Niagara-on-the-Lake way. In the end Red is ready if pleasure is your bag and then not if peak ceiling is the goal. In any case a top vintage for this wine’s acidity. Not to mention J-L Groux, 21 years; Dean Stoyka, 15 years; Stratus Red, 25 years; Combined experience = Priceless.
Use these quick links for access to all of our December 6th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-premium members can select from all release dates 60 days prior.
John’s Top Picks – December 6th
Lawrason’s Take – December 6th
Michael’s Mix – December 6th
Sara’s Selections – December 6th
