If I Could Buy Only One – October 5th Vintages Release

We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the October 5th release for Thanksgiving, which one would it be and why?”

Barbeito 5 Year Old Malvasia Reserva, Madeira, Portugal
$17.95, Le Sommelier Inc.
Michael Godel – This Barbeito 5 Year Old Malvasia Reserva, DOP Maderia, Portugal is your must buy because a Madeira with this level of complexity without paying even a small fortune is unheard of. The nose is bloody fantastic, orange in marmalade, evergreen after a rain and a Portuguese snack cart with the smell of warm nuts wafting in the air. A wow nose if ever a Madeira wanted your attention with that orange burst which could only come from heritage varieties grown on what handful of trees are left in this world. The nuttiness is so subtle and so purposefully powerful without trying. Still such a subtle example of Madeira and multi-purposeful for more than just a bowl nuts. Yes this is dessert wine but it can and should be so versatile so do not be afraid to taste this alongside some aged meat, beef, game or dried as ham, also winter sausage. Sip it late night, sip it anytime. The wine no longer needs to be in the glass to smell it halfway across the room.

David Lawrason – If I Could Buy Only Two. Thanksgiving is one of the classic family and friend feasts on the calendar, usually involving several people and dishes. To recommend just one wine is almost fruitless. So, I offer two – one white and one red, to allow some flexibility. And they are moderately priced to help stretch the budget because you may need more than one bottle of each. They are also both enjoyable to drink now, and to drink before dinner as aperitifs.

Tasca D’almerita Regaleali Bianco 2023, Sicily, Italy
$17.95, VIN PASSION (The Case For Wine)
David Lawrason – The white is Tasca D’almerita Regaleali Bianco 2023, D.O.C. Sicilia ($17.95) a great value from a classic agricultural estate at high altitude in the hills of central Sicily.. It’s a combination of three indigenous varieties – cataratto, greciano and insolia – with some chardonnay. No oak, just lovely purity, complexity and grace for $17.95! Expect fine ripe peach/banana with wildflower, hay and almost honeyed notes. Mindful of ripe pinot gris. It is medium weight, fresh and poised, with just enough heft to weigh into richer dishes.

Hidden Bench Estate Organic Gamay 2022, Ontario, Canada
$29.95, Mark Anthony Group
David Lawrason – The red goes local Hidden Bench Estate Organic Gamay 2022. It is a lovely gamay – certainly among the ripest and best yet from Hidden Bench with more colour depth than expected and generous aromas of strawberry/cherry fruit, soft florals and subtle oak. It is light to medium bodied, nicely composed and effortlessly balanced with fine acidity and tannin. A class act. Think of it as the cranberry condiment to the turkey and dressing.

R. López De Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva 2012 (375ml), Rioja, Spain
$41.95, John Hanna & Sons
Megha Jandhyala – My “only one” this week is the R. López De Heredia Viña Tondonia Reserva 2012. This is classic Rioja – vibrant, concentrated, and self-possessed – steeped in tradition. It has had a dozen years to evolve and resolve, presenting itself now as a silky, firm, comfortingly dense and warm wine. I love how it evokes richly pigmented, fragrant visions of sandalwood, old leather, dried flowers, prunes, figs, vanilla bean, toasted coconut, and abandoned spice jars. I would bring a bottle of this out at special dinner parties, as the festivities are drawing to a close, perhaps alongside a selection of cheeses. The 750ml size is also available but not reviewed.

Dievole Chianti Classico Docg Petrignano 2020, Tuscany, Italy
$28.95, Vinexx
John Szabo – In this release of fall classics and with Thanksgiving in mind, my only one is the exceptional Dievole Chianti Classico Docg Petrignano 2020 DOCG Tuscany, Italy.In fact, I’d buy a case of it to have around for the next 3-4 years and follow its evolution, starting this weekend with a classic spread on the table. It pours a proper limpid red-garnet colour, and delivers a suave and complete set of classic Chianti aromatics, including fresh-tart red fruit, savoury herbs, dried earth and more. I love the texture, so silky smooth, saliva-inducing and savoury, which makes you want to dive back in again and again, a wine of finesse that well over-delivers in the price category.

Use these quick links for access to all of our October 5th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-Premium members can select from all release dates 30 days prior.
Lawrason’s Take – October 5th
Megha’s Picks – October 5th
Michael’s Mix – October 5th
Szabo’s Smart Buys – October 5th