If I Could Buy Only One – September 27th Vintages Release

We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the September 27th release, which one would it be and why?”

Shanahans The Barking Dog GSM 2023, South Australia, Australia
$19.95, Five Senses Wines & Spirits
Sara d’Amato – I have a soft spot for rotundone, the aromatic compound behind that peppery kick in certain grapes like syrah. (For the chemically curious: it’s a sesquiterpene, known as alpha-guaiene, coupled with oxygen). In this Rhône-inspired Barossa GSM–grenache, syrah, and mourvèdre–the pepper sings in stereo: black from the syrah, and white from the grenache. A sensory study out of the University of Pennsylvania found that 40% of people can’t detect rotundone at all. Which means, for under $20, you can run your own palate experiment. Pepper aside, the wine is a head-turner: a fragrant weave of bramble, rosehip, dried mint, and sage. Complex and finely structured, yet already drinking beautifully. 

The Grange Of Prince Edward Victoria Block Chardonnay 2023, VQA Prince Edward County
$29.95, The Grange Of Prince Edward
John Szabo – My only one this week is a nod to my neighbours in PEC: The Grange Of Prince Edward Victoria Block Chardonnay 2023. The renaissance of the Grange, one of the pioneering wineries in the County established around the turn of the century, has been nothing short of spectacular. Under the guidance of the original viticulturist, Mike Peddlesten, by now one of the region’s most experienced growers, and winemaker Jonas Newman, also co-owner/winemaker of the excellent Hinterland Winery just down Closson Road, many of the quarter-century old vines on this prime terroir have been rehabilitated, including the Victoria Block, origin of this superb chardonnay. Stone-washed and concentrated thanks to happily struggling, low-yielding vines, it puts the potential of PEC chardonnay on full display, and at a very fair price. I’d suggest that another year or two to allow for suitable and appealing integration of the (quality) oak influence still on display, and let the stones shine on. Best from 2027.

Megalomaniac Narcissist Riesling 2023, VQA Niagara Peninsula
$19.95, John Howard Cellars of Distinction
Michael Godel – A Gold Medal winner at the 2025 WineAlign National Wine Awards of Canada was Megalomaniac Narcissist Riesling 2023. Gold Medal for an Ontario white at $19.95? Are you kidding me? The 2020 and 2021 vintages also won Gold so this is no flash in the pan. The ’23 emits proper riesling aromas upon entry split between aerosol citrus and floral perfumes, along with the phenolic sapidity of fine varietal wines. Not all that dry but also not all that sweet, namely because acidity strides side by side with high quality fruit. A truly balanced riesling and because it activates a near dry style so beautifully there is great potential from what is essentially varietal Canadian gravitas. Drink 2026-2032.

Scuola Grande Amarone Della Valpolicella 2020, DOCG, Veneto, Italy
$45.95, PV W&S
David Lawrason – I don’t often buy amarone, and I often approach tasting it with some indifference. It is often overblown, overripe and overly sweet.  This one hit a nerve because less is more.  It is typically buxom, but quite elegant amarone that is full, open and warm (15.5%) but stays away from sweetness. What I most appreciate is that classic Valpolicella rosemary herbality that is so prevalent here, along with classic corvina sour cherry fruit, tomato paste and floral notes. The tannins are just right and the length is excellent. This will age very well into the next decade.

Use these quick links for access to all of our September 27th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-premium members can select from all release dates 30 days prior.

John’s Top Picks – September 27th
Lawrason’s Take – September 27th
Michael’s Mix – September 27th
Sara’s Selections – September 27th