Category Archives: Amazing Buys

Wines under $13

JEAN CLAUDE MAS ORIGINES MARTINOLLES 2015, Pays D’oc Saint Hilaire, France

12 Saturday Aug 2017

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Clearance price: $11.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: France
Region: Saint Hilaire, France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Les Demaines Paul Mas
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive Chard, even more impressive that’s it’s inexpensive

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features mild oak, lemon/lime, mango, pineapple, Spy apples, white peach, coconut crème pie, vanilla and Ylang Ylang on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try using the Montrachet style glassware

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Quail Roasted with Honey, Cumin and Orange Juice.

Tasted: 4 Aug 2017

Best & Amazing Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10 (Clearance price: 10/10) Total: 17.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 469999

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VÉRTICE CUVÉE, BRUTO ESPUMANTE, CLASSIC METHOD NV, DOC Douro, Portugal

30 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $16.95 (Clearance Price: $13.60)
Grape: 37% Gouveio, 27% Touriga Franca, 15% Malvasia Fina, 9% Viosinho
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves Transmontanas
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne style at a great price

Description: Rose gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features, light toasted oak, brioche, lemon/lime, orange, Anjou pear, pineapple, green apple, peach, limestone and Easter Lily & peat moss on the nose. Light to medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Disgorgement in November 2015 with 60% from 2011 and 20% from 2009/2010 and aged 36 months in the bottle.

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Lemon Grass Snapper Ceviche.

Tasted: 7 May 2017

Best Buy & Amazing Buy for Sparkling Wines

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 (Clearance Price: 10/10), Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 482679

PATRIACHE PRESTIGE PINOT NOIR 2014, Pays D’Oc, France

26 Friday May 2017

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $12.00
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Languedoc-Roussillon
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Patriarche Père & Fils
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rare Pinot that has substance & not sweetness for this price

Description: Garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features strawberry, ripe cherry, raspberry, cranberry, anise, vanilla, nutmeg and wood ambers on the nose. Light to medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: The Patriarche wine house was founded in 1780. Slightly chill between 13-15C and use the balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Cranberry Glazed Roast Chicken.

Tasted: 2 May 2017

Best Buy, but an Amazing Buy for a Pinot

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 522649

OGIER VENTOUX ROSÉ 2015, Ac Ventoux, Rhône Valley, France

04 Sunday Dec 2016

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ventoux

Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until Nov 6, 2016: $11.95)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Ventoux, Rhône Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ogier
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, delicious & at a great price

Description: Pale salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features pink grapefruit, strawberry, Spy apples and basil. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in 2 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Salmon.

Tasted: 17 October 2016

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Sale price: 9.5/10) Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 134916

MAGNOTTA EQUUS SERIES PINOT NOIR ROSÉ 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

22 Monday Aug 2016

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Rosés

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rose_eq_pinotnoirrose

Cost: $9.95 (Sale price until 31 July 2016: $8.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Rosé Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Still reigning champion for best rosé for under $10

Description: Pale salmon in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, Macoun apple, nectarine, rhubarb and light peat moss on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try it with a Pinot Noir style glassware; you won’t be disappointed. See my previous review that I did in 2014 of the 2013 vintage.

Drink now or in the next 2 of years, on its own or pair it with Grilled Pork Chops with Orange Peppers.

Tasted: 26 July 2016

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+/10 (Sale price: 10/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

CASTILLO DE ALMANSA ROSADO 2015, DO Almansa, Spain

13 Monday Jun 2016

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Castillo

Cost: $11.95
Grape: Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Almansa
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Piqueras
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

A rosé that’s bursting with juicy flavours

Description: Bright pomegranate in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, pomegranate, rhubarb and red roses on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a very long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: So far this year this is my favourite rosé

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Chicken Breasts with Strawberry Red Wine Balsamic Sauce.  

Tasted: 31 May 2016

Amazing Buy, Best Buy & Top Pick

Score: 9+/10, Value: 10/10 Total: 19+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5

LCBO: 445635

HOYA DE CADENAS RESERVA TEMPRANILLO 2011, DO Protegida, Spain

01 Thursday Oct 2015

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Hoyas

Cost: $11.95 (Sale price until 13 Sept 2015: $10.95)
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Protegida
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vicenta Gandia
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

My new favourite Tempranillo reserva for under $15

Description: Deep garnet with ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine has a beautiful nose and taste featuring sandalwood, tobacco cherry, plum, strawberry, nutmeg, dried figs, cinnamon and cloves. Medium+ body, medium tannins with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Decant for 30min to an hour and it will be silky smooth

Interesting Point: “The Hoya de Cadenas Estate is an eco-paradise just 100 Km from the city of Valencia. The estate boasts over 200 hectares of the finest local and international vine varieties. Its situation on the slopes of the Sierra de la Bicuerca affords a particular micro-climate with temperature variations from day to night which give the grapes their own special characteristics and encourages the accumulation of highly valued polyphenols.” (From Hoya de Cadenas web site)

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with vegetarian Paella.

Tasted: 29 Aug 2015

Amazing & Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale: Total: 18.5+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 620989

CONO SUR BICICLETA PINOT NOIR 2014, Central Valley, Chile

30 Sunday Aug 2015

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Con Sur

Cost: $10.95 (Sale until 13 Sept 2015: $9.95)
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Central Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cono Sur Winery
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

For $10 you will never get close to a DRC, but I also never had a Pinot at this price that I liked either until this one

Description: Medium light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features a barnyard nose with light pine, cherry, raspberry, red tea, forest greens and smoked charcoal. Medium body and tannin with good acidity, a fairly long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For those unfamiliar; DRC (Domaine de la Romanée-Conti) is the benchmark for the world’s top and most expensive Pinots. Remember to lightly chill this wine and use balloon style glassware.

Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with Grilled Porcini Mushroom Risotto.

Tasted: 25 Aug 2015

Amazing Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9.5+ (Sale: 10/10) Total: 18.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 341602

SANTA RITA RESERVA CARMENÈRE 2012, DO Rapel Valley, Chile

27 Monday Jul 2015

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Santa Rita

Cost: $13.95 (Sale: $12.45 until Aug 16, 2105)
Grape: Carmenère
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Chile
Region: Rapel Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Santa Rita
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a powerful Carmenère, just right & a delicious, juicy wine for under $14

Description: Medium dark ruby in colour with an intense nose. This wine features light cedar, plum, cherry, blackberry, blueberry, nectarine, licorice, soy sauce, Allspice, peppers and oregano. Medium body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Peruvian coriander herb crusted rack of lamb.

Tasted: 24 July 2015

Amazing Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9.5/10 (sale price: 10/10), Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 177774

MAGNOTTA INTERNATIONAL SERIES ZINFANDEL NV, California, United States

25 Saturday Jul 2015

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Magnotta Zin

Cost: $10.15
Grape Variety: 75% Zinfandel, 25% other red blends
Category: Red Wine
Location Magnotta Winery
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Well, this is impressive for $10!

Description: Medium bright ruby in colour with an intense perfume nose. This wine features violets, fresh carnations, lavender, ripe tamarind, plums, raisins, cloves, red and black raspberries, dark cherry and red currants. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity, a long length and the alcohol is well integrated.

Negatives: None

Interesting note: Don’t think I’ve had a quality Zin for $10 until now, plus only 13.5% alcohol? Double impressive!

Drink now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with sweet and spicy baby back ribs.

Tasted: 17 July 2015

Amazing Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 19/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4.5