Buy the Case – May 2022
Great wines to buy by the case
These are not 97 point wines (but not too far off!).
With the recent proliferation of online wine sales, our inboxes, like yours, are overflowing with offers that look too good to be true. It’s tempting to click and purchase. But if you’ve lost all confidence in hyper-inflated scores and florid descriptions, we can’t blame you. In fact, we agree with you. A few wines are worth it. Many are not.
But we have a solution to buying wines by the case with confidence.
WineAlign was established a dozen years ago to help consumers make better, more informed wine purchases at the LCBO. Then we introduced the WineAlign Exchange, our curated wine subscription service of mixed private imports. Now, we’re going one logical step further: making the best of the best private import wines available to you to buy by the full case. The WineAlign crü tastes hundreds of wines each month to find a small handful on which they all align; they’re a demanding bunch. That’s why you trust them. And these ‘aligned wines’ are what we can now offer to you by the case.
We’re delighted to provide this service to help you drink better wine with the convenience of home delivery, while eliminating the hazards of the unknown. From the hundreds (thousands) of wines imported into Ontario each month, the WineAlign crü tastes and cherry-picks the best. To make the cut, we require unanimous consensus (rather rare!). Many of these wines already make it into the WineAlign Exchange subscription service. But some we find some good enough to buy by the full case. These are the wines we’d like to offer you from time to time.
Wines are sold in 12 bottle cases unless otherwise indicated. Click on the [Buy A Case Now] button to purchase a case and have it delivered directly to your door.
Disclaimers: We don’t import wines and have no inventory to move. We have no exclusive allegiances. We are the most dreaded cherry-pickers. We apply the same rigour to this selection process that we do for everything else published on WineAlign. When we find wines that are worth it, we’ll let you know. Otherwise, we’ll be one less sensational headline in your inbox.
Featured Wine:
Schloss Gobeslburg Ried Gaisberg 1ötw Riesling 2017, D.A.C. Kamptal, Austria
($62.57/bottle, $375/6-bottle case, Artisanal Imports)
About Schloss Gobelsburg: Schloss Gobelsburg is a historic winery, owned by a Cistercian monastery and possessing wonderful old vineyards in the Kamptal region. This is one of the three top quality Danube areas of Austria and altogether has just 2500 hectares of vines. Gobelsburg have around 40 of these. It’s the oldest winery in the region, founded in 1171, and it was run by the monks themselves until 1995.
Since February 1, 1996, the winery and the castle have been managed by Eva and Michael Moosbrugger in cooperation with Willi Bründlmayer. The primary goal is to maintain and further develop the wine heritage of Schloss Gobelsburg – with vineyards that are among the oldest in the area – and to pass them on to the next generation.
In 2006, Michael Moosebrugger was awarded the “Winemaker of the Year” by the Austrian magazine Falstaff. In 2009, 2010, and again in 2019 the estate was included in the “Top 100 Wineries of the Year” by Wine & Spirits Magazine.
Review: “A compelling, maturing riesling from 30-year-old vines in the cru vineyard of Gaisberg. The leesy character on the palate provides amplitude and toastiness but it’s the sour-acid freshness on the palate that gives the taste buds an energizing buzz. Notes of almond, mineral and green apple, freshly squeezed lime, grapefruit, yellow plum and green pear, along with floral notes of honeysuckle, elderflower and jasmine. A salty, brininess lingers on the finish of excellent length. Ready to drink but still with time left ahead. Can be held for a further 2-4 years and still display freshness in the face of evolution. Memorable.” 95 points, Sara d’Amato
Food Pairings: pair with pork with apple sauce, cured salmon, sushi, Coq au Riesling, lightly spiced Thai or Asian food.
Drink: now – 2028
This wine is sold in 6-bottle cases.
Quantity: 8 (6-bottle) cases left
Plantagenet Lancaster Shiraz 2018, Great Southern, Western Australia
($39.95/bottle, $480/12-bottle case, Airen Imports)
About Plantagenet Wines: In 1974, Plantagenet Wines produced its first vintage and the iconic three lions brand was registered.
Our team is passionate about crafting outstanding wines from the unique and diverse Great Southern. From our 5 estate vineyards, meticulous care is taken in the vineyard to provide quality parcels of fruit for the winemaking team to harness the characteristics of this premium cool climate region.
The Great Southern is the largest region in Australia and is the second largest producer of grapes in Western Australia. It is a landscape of forested cliffs and resplendent mountain ranges, grazing pastures and towns steeped in history.
Review: “What a great nose! Love the integration and complexity here – sporting blueberry, blackcurrant, fresh mint/basil, light toast, pepper. It is medium-full bodied, warm, generous and intensely flavoured. It is not as thick and heavy as I expected, which is what I love about this region. Lovely viscosity yet bright, with slightly green tannin. The length is excellent.” 93 points, David Lawrason
Food Pairings: try with barbecued steaks, grilled bison, or pulled pork sandwiches.
Drink: now – 2026
Quantity: 7 cases left
Haselgrove Vine Sean Grenache 2019, McLaren Vale, Australia. SOLD OUT
($44.95/bottle, $540/12-bottle case, Airen Imports)
About Haselgrove: Established in 1981, Haselgrove is surrounded by over 10 hectares of Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon and Mataro vines – with the Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon vines dating back more than 60 years. The site was chosen for a number of reasons, including aspect and soil composition, but let’s face it, they are in the heart of Australian wine country and a perfect place to create world class, iconic and award-winning wines. They also work with a group of dedicated McLaren Vale and Adelaide Hills growers. Although renowned for producing rich and robust award-winning reds from McLaren Vale, their whites are also making ripples with wine writers and on the wine show circuit.
Haselgrove is dedicated to producing wines that are a true reflection of the terroir of the vineyard. Delicate white varietals thrive in the cooler Adelaide Hills region, producing styles which are fresh, crisp and refreshing. McLaren Vale provides perfect conditions for stunning, rich and robust yet elegant reds.
Review: “From McLaren Vale, where there are ample acres of low yielding, high altitude old grenache vines similar to conditions in northern Spain, this pours typically pale garnet red. The nose shows classic grenache strawberry/cherry jam, with hints of pepper, dried shrubs and earth. It is medium weight, rounded, glossy and soft with low acid and tannin creating an impression of sweetness. But this is not sugary, it is very pure and fruit driven. The focus and length are excellent indeed. Delish!” 93 points, David Lawrason
Food Pairings: try with a hearty cassoulet or pork tenderloin with ramp pesto.
Drink: now – 2026
Quantity: SOLD OUT