If I Could Buy Only One – September 7th Vintages Release

We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the September 7th release, which one would it be and why?”

Domaine De La Solitude Châteauneuf Du Pape 2022, Rhône, France
$54.95, Noble Estates Wines & Spirits Inc.
David Lawrason – This is a clinic in Chateauneuf – so powerful yet supple, charming yet seriously complex and so well balanced. I have tried to dissect this but its harmony and cohesion is its key attribute. The nose is very fragrant and lifted with perfumed red rose florals, strawberry jam, white pepper and fine wood spice. It is full bodied yet very supple, with warmth and generosity. Tannins are very fine. The length is excellent to outstanding. Not only have I rated it very highly, it is a shoe-in five star value in its class.
Michael Godel – Domaine De La Solitude Châteauneuf Du Pape 2022 is an exotically charged and wildly aromatic grenache-led Châteauneuf-du-Pâpe and from the entry you would have little idea that the label would tell the story of a 15.5 percent alcohol frame. There is just so much fruit on the nose and repeated on the palate while acidity runs favourably alongside. Some peppery heat here and there though all in all this stalwart of a Rhône manages its potential for massiveness with relative ease. Impressive and the kind of southern French red to share happily between four to six eager partakers. Will age for a good long run.

Château Saint Roch Chimères Grenache/Carignan/Syrah 2021, Midi, France
$19.95, Glencairn Wine Merchants
Sara d’Amato – It’s worth taking note when four critics give 90 point scores to a wine under $20 – sometimes we all do agree! Both wildly aromatic and satisfyingly substantial, this red blend is grown on the windswept natural amphitheater that borders Spain, the Pyrenees, and the Mediterranean, known as Roussillon. Many of the southern Rhône red favourites are grown here such as grenache and syrah but there is also some awe-worthy old vine carignan to be found that is included in this assemblage. Brimming with cracked black pepper, sun dried wild herbs, fleshy red cherry, black currant fruit and a lick of sea salt, this schist-grown red is a value worth discovering.

Le Clos Jordanne Jordan Village Chardonnay 2021, Ontario, Canada
$30.00, Arterra Wines Canada
John Szabo, MS – In keeping with the Ontario theme, my only one this week is wine that signals the full return to form of the Le Clos Jordanne project, formerly a joint venture between Burgundy’s Boisset family and Constellation Brands that was shelved in 2012, but which was resurrected by new owners Arterra Canada with the 2017 vintage. While the wines have always been very good, the 2021 Jordan Village Chardonnay from the Twenty Mile Bench sub-AVA could well be the finest of recent LCJ Village chardonnay releases with its appealing creamy citrus, orange and lemon brulée flavours, and creamy, soft and fluffy palate with excellent length. The winery also finally has a home on the former KEW Estate property, beautifully refurbished and open to visitors.

Use these quick links for access to all of our September 7th Top Picks in the New Release. Non-Premium members can select from all release dates 30 days prior.
Lawrason’s Take – Sep 7th
Michael’s Mix – Sep 7th
Sara’s Selections – Sep 7th
Szabo’s Smart Buys – Sep 7th