Buyer’s Guide to Vintages October 25th Release

Our Picks from the On-Going World Series of Wine

By David Lawrason with notes from Sara d’Amato, Megha Jandhyala, John Szabo and Michael Godel

If this Vintages release was a World Series game, Canadian fans would take comfort that the home team is springing up to the plate, with seven wines on the scorecard among our picks below. But I am not going to try to not go too deep on this theme, to relieve you from all the media World Series “piling on” (oops, wrong sport). I have been a Jays fan since attending their first snowy game at Exhibition Stadium in April 1977. Thanks, Jays, for uncountable hours of joy and anxiety watching at home, and from my occasional affordable seat in the 500s.

This release is themed Fine French Wines but also, in a Vintages tradition, features some high-end Holidays-positioned large-format bottles and Champagnes. Given the cost and low quantities of these wines, WineAlign rarely receives samples for review.

From France, we did glimpse the excellent Château Haut-Simard 2018 St. Émilion that was thumbs-up aligned by all five of us, plus a terrific Chateau La Nerthe 2022 Chateauneuf-du-Pape, which will show up as my Only One pick for the upcoming WineAlign Saturday re-cap. Elsewhere in France, Vintages has framed some fairly ordinary regional French wines as being For all Occasions and Budgets.

What emerges below is our much more critically thought out assessment of wines from around the world. All five of us were at bat for this release, so we have more pick-offs than usual, with double, triple and home-run alignments. They come from Ontario, as already mentioned, as well as New Zealand, Sicily, Australia, Spain and elsewhere. I just love that WineAlign is able to identify quality and value from everywhere in the World, without regional bias.

So here are 19 recommendations, listed in ascending price order within style groupings.

Buyer’s Guide Vintages October 25: White & Sparkling Wines

Reif Reserve Gewürztraminer 2023, Ontario, Canada
$19.95, Reif Estate Winery
David Lawrason – Gewurz has always been a strength at Reif, with old vines astride the Niagara River offering richness, complexity and authenticity. Expect fragrant lychee, lemon-lime, ginger and spice — spot on for this grape. It’s medium-full bodied, fairly thick and just barely off dry. A decent stand-in for Alsatian gewurz that is increasingly rare at Vintages.

Catena High Mountain Vines Chardonnay 2024, Mendoza, Argentina
$20.95, Connexion Oenophilia
Michael Godel – Energy, complexity, harmony and everything that thrives in high-elevation chardonnay. Another unmitigated success, delivered without surprise.

Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2021, Ontario, Canada
$24.95, Mark Anthony Group
Megha Jandhyala – This is quintessential Ontario riesling — it seems to swell with flavours of spring flowers and ripe citrus and orchard fruit, while acidity and sweetness are in symmetry. This wine should pair wonderfully with slightly sweet and spicy foods, like khao soi from Thailand or gaeng phet gai from Laos.
Michael Godel – Cooler vintage for Bench riesling which is just what the variety wants and needs to make a cracker example like this ’21 from Hidden Bench. In a perfect window right now, soon to cross over with hints of petrol.
John Szabo – Showing some age now, this is quality riesling, at or near its maximum expression.
David Lawrason – Riesling fans shouldn’t miss this evolving Niagara classic and five-star value!

Clarence Dillon Clarendelle Blanc 2023, Bordeaux, France
$26.95, The Case For Wine
John Szabo – A well-balanced, stylish, nicely dialled white Bordeaux, with perfectly integrated wood, medium-fullish body, succulent acids and fine length. Everything lines up nicely here; drink now or hold into the latter part of the decade.

Auntsfield Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand
$32.95, DB Wine & Spirits
John Szabo – Good and proper reduction here on Aunstfield’s Southern Valleys chardonnay, with that flinty-citrus character that many prize, including me. It’s drinking now, but I can see it in 4 to 6 years as an original, idiosyncratic white, which I look forward to.
Megha Jandhyala – This is an intriguing chardonnay — flinty and stony, reductive in the most pleasant way, complemented by delightful citrus and orchard fruit flavours. I also love the silky yet dynamic palate.
Sara d’Amato – Rooted in Greywacke rock and Loess clay soils of Auntsfield Estate’s Southern Valleys vineyard, this chardonnay was tended with meticulous care — hand-harvested, whole-bunch pressed and fermented in French oak with indigenous yeast before maturing on lees. The result is an elegant articulation of Marlborough’s Southern Valleys, high acid but not high toned, bright and poised, well keeled by acid but counterbalanced by a supple, fleshy texture.
Michael Godel – Stellar chardonnay work here from the winery with 130 years of Southern Valleys experience.

Drappier Zero Dosage Brut Nature Pinot Noir Champagne, Champagne, France
$74.95, Family Wine Merchants
Sara d’Amato – The nose of this trailblazing Champagne of Drappier is nothing short of generous — lavish, even. Born from the limestone plateau of the Côte des Bar, it carries a persistent yeasty, toasty autolytic character that anchors its personality. It surprises with more body and roundness than one expects from a Brut Nature — the lack of dosage was not missed. A Champagne of striking balance and undeniable value.

Buyer’s Guide Vintages October 25th: Reds

3 Rings Shiraz 2022, South Australia, Australia
$17.95, VinoLuna
Megha Jandhyala – Approachable, in every sense, 3 Rings Barossa Valley shiraz nonetheless exhibits varietal fidelity and charm. I like its flavours of toasted black pepper, dark cherries, blackberries and savoury herbs, and, especially, its lively acidity.

Vineland Estates Cabernet Franc 2019, Ontario, Canada
$19.95, Vineland Estate Wines
John Szabo – At peak now, this is a zesty and appealing cabernet blend from Vineland estates, with light, silky tannins and vibrant acids framing bright red and black fruit. I appreciate the high drinkability, a wine to consume over the near term with a light chill.

Fowles Farm To Table Pinot Noir 2021, Victoria, Australia
$19.95, Vonterra
Sara d’Amato – This sustainably raised pinot noir from southeastern Australia offers classic Burgundian appeal with its pale garnet hue, dried leaf, cherries and just a hint of earth, with a sun-kissed Australian warmth and an unrestrained generosity.

Planeta La Segreta Rosso 2022, Sicily, Italy
$19.95, Noble Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
Sara d’Amato – An immediate charmer you’ll want to keep sipping all night long, this organic Sicilian red centered on nero d’avola, with contributions from merlot, syrah and even cabernet franc — is juicy, peppery and surprisingly light, without skimping on depth.
David Lawrason – This organically grown blend of native Sicilian and French grapes is made in a loose, easy and easy-drinking style. The nose blooms with botanical/herbal and spice notes amid sour cherry, pepper and vague earthiness. Chill lightly and enjoy anytime.

Marqués Del Atrio Reserva Tempranillo/Graciano 2019, Rioja, Spain
$22.95, Vonterra
Michael Godel – Stylish, suave and smooth. A fluid Rioja blend, wood well incorporated, of warmth and also good acidity to layer for this oh so drinkable mid-weight Rioja.

Château Bouscassé Madiran 2019, Southwest, France
$23.95, Mark Anthony Group
Sara d’Amato – With ageing potential in its very DNA, this compelling 2019 Madiran blends tannat, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon resulting in a wine that is rich with notably grippy tannins. Requires a meal of equal intensity, not lacking in salt.

Eradus Pinot Noir 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand
$24.95, Kolonaki Group Inc
David Lawrason – This is a classy, gentle and precise NZ pinot drinking at its best. It has a lifted nose of strawberry and sour cherry, fine wood spice and vanillin, with Awatere dill and thyme I recognize in Eradus sauvignon blanc (Vintages Essential). Lively acidity, moderate alcohol and fine brush of tannin.

Mouton Cadet Héritage 2020, Bordeaux, France
$24.95, Charton Hobbs
John Szabo – The classic white label Mouton Cadet, now Cuvée Héritage, is an historic brand created in the 1930s. It’s perhaps better than ever now; if you haven’t revisited it in some time, you’d be well advised to give it another look.

Jackson Triggs Niagara Estate Grand Reserve Shiraz 2022, Ontario, Canada
$29.95, Arterra Wines Canada
David Lawrason – This Gold Medal winner at the National Wine Awards 2025 has always been one of the more notable syrahs of Niagara (a rare breed) based on fruit from the Delaine vineyard planted about 25 years ago astride the Niagara River. Love the pronounced peppery notes that cool-climate Niagara versions offer, with savoury herbals, black olive and spice. Quite full, dense and tannic. I would age it a year or three.

Leaning Post Pinot Noir 2023, Ontario, Canada
$35.95, Leaning Post Wines
David Lawrason – There is pent-up energy in this solid, young pinot. There are all kinds of aromas and flavours on the savoury and spicy spectrums, that swirl around the classic Niagara sour cherry/raspberry fruit. It is medium bodied with 13% alcohol providing weight and power. Almost taut acid edge.

Cloudsley Cellars Pinot Noir 2020, Ontario, Canada
$36.95, Noble Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
Sara d’Amato – This Bench-grown pinot noir is perfectly matured and ready to drink, offering a touch of dried mint over earthy tones of tilled soil, dried leaf, and a trace of licorice. An intriguingly complex wine, where red and black fruits intertwine with graphite and a subtle, pleasing bitterness that sharpens its bright acidity. Dynamic yet composed, characterful with a touch of volatility that only adds to its charm.
Michael Godel – Curious to find a back vintage dating to 2020 as a current Vintages release. Presents a drink-now proposition and so this must be the right time and place.
Megha Jandhyala – Ready to enjoy now, this pinot noir from the Twenty Mile Bench has an enchanting texture and unaffected, natural charisma. Pillowy, soft tannins and sprightly acidity support radiant red fruit and gentle spice flavours.

Stratus Merlot 2021, Ontario, Canada
$45.20, Stratus Vineyards
Sara d’Amato– Despite its ripeness, this merlot remains true to type — generous in every sense. Bursting with brambly fruit, plum, and graphite, it carries gentle spice and sophisticated structure. Polished with a pleasant degree of angularity and an overall crowd-pleaser.

Château Haut Simard 2018, Bordeaux, France
$60.95, Noble Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
Megha Jandhyala – Classic, complex, mature right-bank Bordeaux is worth a splurge, in my view, and this example from Château Simard is in its peak drinking window. Mossy, savoury, and floral, it displays flavours of both ripe and dried fruit notes and subtle spice. The palate is firm, suave and captivating.
Sara d’Amato – A classically structured Saint-Émilion Grand Cru from the outstanding 2018 vintage, the wine shows impressive poise and depth. Firm yet refined tannins frame vibrant, still-youthful fruit, layered with well-integrated wood spice and a lingering, concentrated finish. Built to age but already showing harmony — a confident, compelling expression of its terroir.
Michael Godel – The extra 10 months in bottle have served this engaging Saint-Émilion well to help bring it one step closer to fruition. Now a cool minty streak running aromatically free, the vibrations of time and place very much the traffic of the day. Once again, give this some air to release its full charms.
John Szabo – Showing beautifully at the moment, this well-regarded vintage in St. Émilion yielded an Haut-Simard of significant breadth and depth, and full-bodied, mouth-filling palate. Clearly quality wine, drinking well now, even if no rush, and fairly priced in context.
David Lawrason – Defines the essence of excellent Bordeaux, if in a unique way based on cabernet franc.

And that is wrap for October 25. John is up next with his take on the November 8 Release with its Burgundy and Holiday Entertaining spotlights.

David

Use these quick links for access to all of our October 25th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-premium members can select from all release dates 60 days prior.

John’s Top Picks – October 25th
Lawrason’s Take – October 25th
Michael’s Mix – October 25th
Megha’s Picks – October 25th
Sara’s Selections – October 25th

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