If I Could Buy Only One – May 27th, 2017 VINTAGES Release

As part of our VINTAGES recap, we asked our critics: “If you could buy only one wine from this release – which one would it be and why?”

Our picks from the May 27th VINTAGES release:

David Lawrason – In recent years WineAlign critics who have travelled to South Africa have been extolling the great value emerging from the Cape winelands, and howling at the lack of the presence in Ontario of some of the best. Well now, in conjunction with Vintages June 1st tasting event by PIWOSA (Premium Independent Wineries of South Africa), we are seeing some light at the end of the tunnel. Cederberg the appellation, and Cederberg the winery, sit at over 1,000 metres in a remote region north and inland from Cape Town. This is simply beautiful shiraz with a pure, fragrant nose of finely ripened blackberry, cedar, violets and chocolate. It is a full bodied, dense red that also displays great minerality and tension, with Cape iodine and roasted herbs on the palate. Very complex and well balanced despite its size. Whopping value!

Sara d’Amato – I am ever so pleased when producers in Verona put effort into the basic Valpolicella wines which are naturally fresh, fruity, appealing and appasimento-free. The 2014 Masi Toar blends an ancient indigenous grape variety, oseleta, grown on volcanic ‘Tufa’ with that of the more well-known corvina to create a uniquely well-structured assemblage with a salty, smoky flavour profile with great intensity.

Michael Godel – If elegance in sauvignon blanc is your South African desire than Elgin is the place to look and the Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc 2015 the wine and the producer to seek. Cluver’s (ferricrete layered over decomposed Bokkeveld Shale and light clay) vineyards are in a basin, a true amphitheatre between the mountains. The elevation and diurnal temperature fluctuations bring a juicy fullness to this wine but also a type of acidity that circulates, surrounds and develops with the fruit. The orchard flesh and stone fruit tang combine in the less than pungent aromatics and then layer with texture and flavour. This is brilliant stuff and not to be passed over. Sancerre is watching.

John Szabo, MS – For those casual summer BBQ moments, try the sharp value, rustic and authentic Camporeale Aglianico 2015 a superb entry point into one of Italy’s top red varieties. It’s fruity-earthy, lightly dusty and clearly designed for early drinking, yet still bagged with dusty stewed tomato, wild herbs and some C02 on the palate, along with the variety’s noteworthy tannins. Length is also surprising, considering the price category. Not too many wines at this price have this much character.

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

Szabo’s Smart Buys
Lawrason’s Take
Sara’s Sommelier Selections
Michael’s Mix