If I Could Buy Only One – October 25th Vintages Release
We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the October 25th release, which one would it be and why?”
Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2021, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario
John Szabo – In keeping with David’s newsletter theme this week of Canadians stepping up to the plate, my only one this week is an Ontario Riesling in the prime of its career: Hidden Bench Estate Riesling 2021, Niagara Escarpment, Ontario. Showing some age now, this is quality riesling from organically/biodynamically-farmed, at or near its maximum expression and ready for the upcoming holidays.
Auntsfield Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand
$32.95, DB Wine & Spirits
Megha Jandhyala – My “only one” this week is the 2023 Auntsfield Single Vineyard Chardonnay, chosen for its elegance, focus, and textural complexity. It is made with fruit growing in the Greywacke rock and Loess clay soils of the Auntsfield vineyard. I love its flinty and stony character, reductive in the most agreeable way, complemented by an array of delightful citrus and orchard fruit flavours. The palate is silky and rounded, full of life and movement, with dynamic acidity that lingers on the very long, citrusy finish. This composed yet memorable and distinctive wine can be enjoyed now or cellared for 3-4 years. As an interesting piece of historical context, established in 1892, Auntsfield was both Marlborough’s first vineyard and winery!
Two Sisters Unoaked Chardonnay 2021, VQA Niagara Peninsula
$39.00, Two Sisters Vineyards
Michael Godel – Making Ontario chardonnay without any aging time in barrel suggests a Chablis stylistic and for the most part that is true. The difference for Two Sisters Unoaked Chardonnay 2021, VQA Niagara Peninsula is two-fold; one is the warm Niagara River sub-app and the second but clearly most important is the 1959 planted chardonnay vineyard, generally accepted as Canada’s oldest. There were actually even older vines in Grimsby, but they were experimental (at the farm owned by Parkdale Wines) and those vines were eliminated long ago. But this wine is about 1959, amongst other vines and ideals, here as luxe and concentrated as any local chardonnay. The freshness and spirit here are exceptional and this wine should be famous, not merely almost and the time has come for more consumers to know it by name. Penny Lane would say “honey, you’re too sweet for rock and roll” but while that might apply to other chardonnays, this unoaked by Two Sisters rocks the joint.
Château Haut Simard 2018, Bordeaux, France
$60.95, Noble Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
Sara d’Amato – Tasted twice, nearly a year apart, this wine confirms its pedigree as a classically crafted Saint-Emilion Grand Cru. From the stellar 2018 vintage, it carries an intriguing twist – a cabernet franc-dominant blend (60/40 cabernet franc to merlot), even outstripping the proportions of the illustrious Cheval Blanc. Structured for longevity but already harmonious, it’s an eloquent expression of its terroir, one that promises to reward patient cellaring over the next five to eight years.
Château La Nerthe Châteauneuf-Du-Pape 2022, Rhône, France
$74.95, Woodman Wines & Spirits
David Lawrason – After tasting a handful of Chateauneuf-du-Papes at the Odyssee portfolio tasting on Tuesday, I was thinking to myself what a satisfying wine it is – with all the textural comfort and warmth of any southern Rhone elevated not just by power but added complexity, structure and finesse. This example tells the tale with a gorgeous nose – so lifted but calm, complex and detailed with classic strawberry/red plum jam, white pepper, nutmeg and red rose. It is medium-full bodied with a sense of elegance and even delicacy mid-palate, then on comes some heat at 15% abv, then considerable, brisk but not green tannin that suggests cellaring until 2029-ish.
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
