If I Could Buy Only One – Aug 4th, 2018 VINTAGES Release

As part of our VINTAGES recap, we asked our critics: “If you could buy only one wine from this release – which one would it be and why?”

Our picks from the Aug 4th VINTAGES release:

David Lawrason: We have become so accustomed to inexpensive Douro reds, that we tend to put the brakes on buying more expensive bottles. But the region delivers value at every price, and thisQuinta da Rede Grande Reserva is a seriously good red wine. It has a terrific, billowing aromas of plum jam, violets, fresh herbs and peppery spice. It is full bodied, dense, yet so elegant with refined tannin and all kinds of Douro iron-rich minerality on the finish. This is very cohesive and approachable without compromising its Douro-ness. Best 2019 to 2025.

Quinta Da Rede Grande Reserva 2013

Michael Godel: Reward yourself and step up a level to pour, gift or just sip this Guado Al Tasso Il Bruciato by the grill. There really is no surprise that 2015 delivers great fruit and full throttle phenolics. It’s a very balanced blend, in fact it walks the line up to hedonism and just teases over the top. Pure cabernet sauvignon is met by richly verdant merlot and supple syrah with only a minor smoulder of peppery, liquid smoke. The People’s Guado al Tasso is right here, second wine or not.

Guado Al Tasso Il Bruciato 2015

John Szabo, MS: If I could buy only one wine this week, the decision would be tough; there are plenty of good buys in the August 4th release. I’d be tempted by Chablis from La Chablisienne, fiano and aglianico from Campania, or top chenin from South Africa. But in the end, I’ll be cracking Leaning Post Wines The Fifty VQA Ontario ($21.95), one of the sharpest values currently going in Ontario. With fruit sourced mostly from the Twenty Mile Bench (Wismer vineyard), it delivers all of the stony, minerally notes that chardonnay fanatics seek on a light and brisk frame. I love the crispy green apple and lemon fruit, and the ultra-subtle wood influence (fermented in wood but aged in steel). Length is solid, too. Best 2018-2023.

Leaning Post Wines The Fifty 2015

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La Posta Tinto 2016

 

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.

Lawrason’s Take
Szabo’s Smart Buys
Michael’s Mix

New Release and VINTAGES Preview