If I Could Buy Only One – May 10th Vintages Release

We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the May 10th release, which one would it be and why?”

Stratus Cabernet Franc 2021, Ontario, Canada
$45.20, Stratus Vineyards
Sara d’Amato – Forget tariffs and patriotic duty – this Canadian gem stands tall on its own merits. Among this week’s international Vintages release, it pours as my top-scorer. Broad on the palate, this cabernet franc features a supple texture, ample dark fruit of blackberry and plum balanced by a subtle bitterness and graphitic minerality that curbs the alcohol. It’s a style that speaks clearly of Niagara, one of the few regions capable of delivering this kind of complexity and restraint while fully ripe. Already in an excellent place for drinking, though it has enough structure to evolve further.
Megha Jandhyala – If I could buy just one wine from the latest LCBO vintages release, Stratus’ 2021 Cabernet Franc is the one I would choose. Concentrated, complex, and structured, this premium wine is poised at an ideal degree of ripeness. I love how cogently it evokes the scents and sensations of flowers, fruits, herbs, and spices, including violet essence, dark cherries, damson plums, and, perhaps most compelling of all to me, dried henna leaves. Oak influence has lent the wine generous flavours of spice and vanilla bean that are salient but not brash or overpowering. I also appreciate that one can sense that this cabernet franc is from Ontario; it has a distinct character that I associate with Niagara’s terroir and Stratus’ aesthetic. I cannot wait to try another bottle in a couple of years.

There are other ‘Only One’ picks this week that are currently only visible to our premium members. This complete article will be free and visible to all members 30 days after publication. We invite you to subscribe today to unlock our top picks and other Premium benefits.

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Use these quick links for access to all of our May10th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-premium members can select from all release dates 30 days prior.
John’s Top Picks – May 10th
Lawrason’s Take – May 10th
Megha’s Picks – May 10th
Sara’s Selections – May 10th