If I Could Buy Only One – August 30th Vintages Release

We asked our writers, “If you could buy only one wine from the August 30th release, which one would it be and why?”

Palacios Remondo La Montesa 2021, Rioja, Spain
$26.95, Woodman Wines & Spirits
Megha Jandhyala – My “only one” this week is a Rioja I tasted last week that has persisted not just in my memory but on my palate like an inescapable phantasm. The 2021 Palacios Remondo La Montesa is graceful yet intensely evocative, reminding me of the sights and smells of Rioja Oriental – golden sunshine washing over perfectly ripe red fruit and warm breezes flowing through juniper and lavender bushes. I love how this wine undulates on my palate, so silky and tender, neither languid nor energetic, just gracefully in motion. I imagine garnacha plays a leading role in this blend (given its supple texture and immediately beguiling charm). Oak influence is employed with sleight of hand here – adding nuances of flavour and texture. The finish is charmingly full of character. While this can easily be cellared for 4-5 years, its allure inspires impatience; I would enjoy it now – why postpone joy?
Michael Godel – The grapes for 2021 Palacios Remondo La Montesa come from La Montesa vineyard at 550m in the village area of Valtomelloso, Valfrio and Valviejo. The topography is a long, gently sloping hillside in the foothills of Yerga Mountain. Mainly garnacha with 10 percent other endemic varieties growing in a true conglomerate of soil; carbonate sedimentation alluvials of various types such as volcanic rock, quartz and sandstone, filled with carbonate and clay-ferrous colluvial material, lime and sand. All adds up to a seriously variegated and complex Rioja that punches far above weight and price. Remarkable depth and length with nuance built from purity and precision. There are not enough superlatives to place upon a wine of this character while being so bloody affordable in today’s market.

Klados White Diva Vidiano 2024, Crete, Greece
$19.95, Creticos
Sara d’Amato – An “in-between seasons” white, this Cretan vidiano from the Rethymno PGI is your gateway glass. Airy and elegant, brimming with peach, sage, and grapefruit, carried on a mineral backbone with just a hint of sea breeze. Polished enough to impress, yet relaxed enough to charm. Both cerebral and downright delicious.

San Alejandro Evodia 2022, Catalonia, Spain
$16.95, Glencairn Wine Merchants
John Szabo – Sharp value wines, specifically wines of genuine interest and character under $20, are ever more rare to come by. Costs, driven up by hyper inflation, and production volumes, driven down climate catastrophes, have turned $15 wines into $20+, with no appreciable increase in quality, It’s cause, therefore, for celebration to find these needles in haystacks, and my only one this week has to be the San Alejandro Evodia 2022. As the country with the largest area under vine in the world, Spain remains one of the few sources of genuine value, and here’s a case in point, a high elevation (800m), old vine (c. 40 years) garnacha from the birthplace of the variety that over-delivers by a good margin; It’s a delight to sip, and remarkable for its depth and complexity at the price. It’s definitely worth buying multiple bottles to serve over the next 2-3 years and surprise and delight a few guests as well as yourself.

Shale Ridge Sr Cabernet Sauvignon 2023, Ontario, Canada
$29.95, Shale Ridge Estate Winery & Cidery
David Lawrason – I was immediately excited by my first sip of this vibrant, crunchy cabernet, and as the story unfolded I was even more taken. Shale Ridge Winery and Cidery is located in the hamlet of Thedford close to the shores of Lake Huron in southwest Ontario. It opened in 2019 by Garren and Alicia Hardman. This is locally grown cabernet sauvignon is exactly as it should be for the region. No oak! Just straight-up, jump-up fragrant red fruits – cranberry/raspberry – with violet florality. It is medium weight, rather tart-edged, juicy and coarse, but the exuberance is captivating. There has been some very thoughtful design and crafting of this wine. This was Shale Ridge’s first release at Vintages, and a few bottles remain scattered in stores across the province. Or you can order direct via the winery here.

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

John’s Top Picks – August 30th
Lawrason’s Take – August 30th
Megha’s Picks – August 30th
Michael’s Mix – August 30th
Sara’s Selections – August 30th