If I Could Buy Only One – August 29th Vintages Release
We asked our writers,“If you could buy only one wine from the August 29th, which one would it be and why?”
Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2025, Swartland, South Africa
$19.95, The Living Vine
John Szabo – My only one this week is a perfect seasonal transition wine: Badenhorst Secateurs Chenin Blanc 2025. It’s hard to believe this beautiful chenin is still at the same price it has been for ages – a fine wine for $20 to be sure. Adi Badenhorst is a leader of the Swartland, and South African, wine revolution. Sapidity is high, acids succulent, and pleasure guaranteed. Enjoy over the near term.
Barbeito 5-years-old Rainwater Reserva Medium Dry Madeira, Madeira, Portugal
$18.95, Le Sommelier Inc.
Megha Jandhyala – Once one of the most popular wines in North America, Madeira appears to be going the way of a niche wine, if not a rare one, which is an unfortunate trend, in my view. Happily, the LCBO’s latest Vintages release includes a very good example of this style of wine! The Barbeito’s Rainwater Reserva is my “only one” this week for two reasons: first, foremost, and quite simply, this is a beguiling wine. I love its luscious texture and melodious sweetness, juxtaposed with vibrant acidity and refreshing bitterness. Perhaps equally enchanting is its flavour profile, an intense composition of dried fruit, toasted nuts, and candied ginger. My second reason for choosing this wine is its price, which is implausibly low. At under $20, I would buy several bottles of it! I suggest pairing this gorgeous wine with something along the lines of crostini topped with a creamy cheese and a drizzle of citrus compote!
David Lawrason – Throughout my career I have consistently rated some sherries and madeiras in the ‘outstanding’ 95+ range. With their amazing intensity, complexity and balance they are totally deserving, no matter what ‘the market’ has to say about their style, popularity and ultimately their price. This is massively high quality. What a great nose, with its blast of woven dried apricot, pumpkin spice, honey, caramel, orange marmalade and fine old barnwood spice. It is full bodied (18%) medium sweet with fine acidity. Quite glycerol and smooth yet maintains a sense of energy and vitality. The length is outstanding. Chill and sip on an autumn evening.
Mommessin Mary & Thomas Bachelder Beaujolais-Lantignié 2023, Beaujolais, France
$24.95, Univins (Ontario)
Sara d’Amato – Canadian vignerons Mary & Thomas Bachelder have teamed up with Burgundian producer Mommessin on a decidedly underdog project in Beaujolais’ Lantignié, a lesser-known village tucked near Régnié and Morgon. Steep slopes and technicolour pink-and-blue granite have influenced a red that’s brimming black pepper, juicy acidity, and silty minerality, with plenty of youthful energy. Not yet a cru, but with this much character (and value), it’s already punching above its village appellation.
Domaine Queylus Réserve Du Domaine Cabernet Franc 2021, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Ontario
$48.70, Marchands des Ameriques
Michael Godel – Ah the structural wonders of Domaine Queylus reds (and often whites as well), built to drink dutifully five-plus years after vintage, The Domaine Queylus Réserve Du Domaine Cabernet Franc 2021 might just linger into seven or eight, and with ease. An acid year, more so than tannin, though the latter are really quite suave, and also sweet. Another complete, and varietally distinct cabernet franc, consistently crafted by winemaker Kelly Mason for Queylus.
Use these quick links for access to all of our August 29th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-premium members can select from all release dates 60 days prior.
John’s Top Picks – August 29th
Lawrason’s Take – August 29th
Megha’s Picks – August 29th
Michael’s Mix – August 29th
Sara’s Selections – August 29th
