If I Could Buy Only One – March 5 VINTAGES Release

We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from this release, which one would it be and why?”

($29.95, Charton Hobbs)
Michael Godel– In the world of second wines there are few that can run with its Grand Vin as this Coudoulet De Beaucastel Côtes Du Rhône 2019 marches alongside the Château of Beaucastel. A vintage like 2019 is no interruption or distraction and so the substantial weight, concentration and lifted elements are all in force for a red Rhône of immense abilities. The price has remained here for as long as memory serves and yet the Coudoulet seems to deliver more and more each and every time out in bottle. You can aerate and enjoy or you can lay these down for 10-plus years. Both are recommended.

($24.95, Le Sommelier Inc.)
David Lawrason– Go to school on a classic old school Rioja. The Señorío De P. Peciña Crianza 2015 is very sophisticated, complex and even handed, and drinking perfectly at six years of age. The cedary, savoury, leathery and dried fruit aromas are lifted and compelling. It is smooth and dense. The length is excellent, with some minerality on the finish. Fine now and it will drink well through this decade. It was still delivering 48 hours after being first opened, and would fit nicely around a late winter beef stew or pot roast.

($24.95, Cave Spring Cellars )
Sara d’Amato– A rebirth of this Cave Spring Estate Pinot Gris 2019 just in time for spring. You may mistake this for a rosé but it is actually a carefully crafted pinot gris exhibiting a notable pinkish hue due to some skin contact prior to fermentation. Sourced from sites of varying elevation across Niagara, from Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Lakeshore, and from the Beamsville Bench. Featuring appealing floral notes and toasty flavours due to several months of lees ageing. Nicely textured with more volume than expected. Dry but very much in the Alsatian pinot gris style.

($19.95, Glencairn Wine Merchants)
John Szabo– My only one this week is a $20 red wine that tastes like a $40 bottle: Domaine Lafage Cuvée Nicolas Vieilles Vignes Grenache Noir 2019. The consistency chez Domaine Lafage is shocking – I find their wines on my smart buys list with remarkable regularity. Rest assured an old vine cuvée of this intensity and caliber from a better-known appellation would easily fetch in the $30s or $40s or more, so consider this a steal. Drink or hold 4-6 years.

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 Selections
Michael‘s Mix