If I Could Buy Only One – January 8th VINTAGES Release
We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from this release, which one would it be and why?”
($31.95, PV Wine & Spirits Agency)
Michael Godel– I love a great Gigondas and we do not see enough of them here in Ontario. Domaine Le Clos Des Cazaux La Tour Sarrasine 2019 is a blend is 70 per cent grenache with (15 each) syrah and mourvèdre in a Gigondas of prominent haute aromas indicating a place of great esteem. The name Cazaux originates in the Hautes-Pyrenees and is a variant of “Casals,” which could be from Portuguese, meaning ‘couples’. Or, not, but either way, the walled in vineyard of the couples does have a nice matrimonial ring to it. Juicy grenache with great bones and flesh, a body to carry this forward and drink well for 10 years. Really fine Gigondas indeed. Drink 2023-2028.
($36.95, Family Wine Merchants)
David Lawrason– Having gone on about the fine selection of syrah based wintry reds in my review of the January 8th Vintages release, I would actually put my money on a California pinot, if I could buy only one wine from this lot. With this category under siege by overtly sweet pinot noirs like Meomi, it is a real delight to find one that nicely carries this grape’s delicacy, nuance and fragrance suppleness and charm. This Domaine Carneros Avant Garde Pinot Noir 2019 is very tidy, sleek and delicious with classic ripe cherry, florals, vanilla, nutmeg and toast. It is smooth, mellow and warm with very good to excellent length. Domaine Carneros was founded in 1987 by Taittinger of Champagne in the cool Carneros region, and excellent sparkling wine (released in Vintages last month) remains its flagship. But pinot noir has long been its specialty, as well with winemaker TJ Evans having spent 13 years dedicated to making the pinot noirs – all eight of them. Avant Garde is the least expensive “vanguard of the vintage”.
($38.95, Eurovintage Wines & Spirits)
Sara d’Amato– Cabernet blends are not my typical go-to reds but this Redbrook Estate Cabernet/Merlot 2017 example from Margaret River’s Evan’s and Tate is so aromatically enticing, that it could not be overlooked. Blackberry bud, black currant, eucalyptus, licorice and delicate exotic spice reverberate on the palate. Lovely juiciness with harmony, length and the complexity to match the price. Highly memorable.
($18.95, Glencairn Wine Merchants)
John Szabo– I was really impressed by the Viñalba Reserva Malbec/Touriga Nacional 2019 from the Uco Valley, Argentina (Mendoza), this week. It’s a wine that shows just how juicy and thoroughly delicious wines from the cooler sites in Mendoza can be when farmed and harvested to the right specs. It’s a also a clever blend, made by specialists of each variety: Portuguese winemaker Rui Reguingua for the touriga, and Argentine Hervé. J Fabre for the malbec. The two varieties work marvellously well together here to emphasize the floral-violet perfume’s typical of each, so vivid and vital. Enjoy now, or, hold short term.
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Szabo’s Smart Buys
Lawrason’s Take
Sara’s Selections
Michael’s Mix
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