Category Archives: Amazing Buys

Wines under $13

SPIER SIGNATURE CHARDONNAY 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa

25 Thursday Aug 2022

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $13.35
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Spier
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Clean, balanced medium body Chard at a great price for the quality Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pink grapefruit, Golden Delicious apples, pear, pineapple, dill, light caramel & baking spices.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Established in 1692, Spier is among the oldest of South African wineries.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with pan-fried salmon

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: August 24, 2022

LCBO: 487181

WOLFTRAP VIOGNIER CHENIN BLANC GRENACHE BLANC 2021, South Africa

29 Friday Jul 2022

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $14.00 (Sale Price until Aug 14, 2022: $12.00)
Grape: 39% Viognier, 38% Chenin Blanc, 23% Grenache Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Boekenhoutskloof
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

For an inexpensive wine, this has a lot of complexity & a steel at the price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon custard, yellow plum, Jonagold apples, gooseberry, white peach, pineapple, ginger, lemongrass, clove & verbena on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-4 years on its own or pair it with Sushi.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: July 27, 2022

LCBO: 292532

VENTOUX GRANDE RÉSERVE DES CHALLIÈRES 2020, AOC Ventoux, Southern Rhône, France

19 Tuesday Jul 2022

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $12.40 (Sale price until July 17, 2022: $10.40)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Carignan
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Ventoux, Southern Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bonpas
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.


Best under $13 red I’ve tried to date. Smooth, elegant, light to medium body, nice balance of fruit & light spice. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity & medium intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, mulberry, black olives, thyme, baby spinach & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The south-facing slopes of Mont Ventoux in the Vaucluse, which rises to 1,912 meters covering almost 6,700 hectares. The terroir is made of Limestone and marly scree.” Winery

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with wooden oven pizza.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 18, 2022

LCBO: 20865

CABRIZ ROSÉ 2020, DOC Däo, Portugal

13 Wednesday Jul 2022

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $13.95
Grape: Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Dão
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cabriz
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.


On a blind I would say this was from Provence, but I would be wrong. Beautifully made showing vibrant fruits & crispness all at a great price. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light cooper in colour with good acidity & medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Pink grapefruit, raspberry, Dragon Fruit, watermelon, white peach & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in a couple of years on its own or pair it with barbecued chicken skewers

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: July 11, 2022

LCBO: 30445

IDI DI MARZO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2019, DOC Abruzzo, Italy

09 Saturday Apr 2022

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $13.95
Grape: Montepulciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Villamagna, Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Federico de Cerchio Family Estates
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

High score due to exceptional value, high quality, smooth, balanced, simply delicious & tasted the same after trying the wine on a variety of different glassware. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, ripe redcurrants, raspberry, roasted red peppers, licorice, cocoa, thyme, sage, Champagne mushrooms, tobacco leaves & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable wine & Vegan

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Eggplant Parmesan.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick, Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: April 8, 2022

LCBO: 23862

BON COURAGE PRESTIGE CUVÉE CHARDONNAY 2019, Robertson, South Africa

21 Sunday Nov 2021

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, White Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $13.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Robertson
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bon Courage Estate
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Such a beautiful wine for under $14, can’t ask for more. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, peach, pear, kiwi, pineapple, ginger, oak spice, vanilla & white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Use the Montrachet style wine glassware & don’t over chill it. Serve 13°C to 15°C

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Pan Seared Halibut with Lemon Dill Sauce.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 20, 2021

LCBO: 278333

HILARIO CORBIÈRES 2019, AOP Corbières, Languedoc, France

16 Tuesday Nov 2021

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Corbières, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Confrerie Des Domaines
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious spicy, mouth-watering wine. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Deep dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, bramble fruit, black peppercorn, cocoa, arugula, sage & fresh cut carnations.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Lamb Shank.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Nov 12, 2021

LCBO: 15170

LE NOBLE CUVÉE RÉSERVE 2018, AC Bordeaux, France

17 Friday Sep 2021

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $12.95
Grape: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves de Rauzan
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This inexpensive wine is deceptive. At 1st it’s simple, but if you let it sit for an hour, the wine opens up to give pleasant tertiary notes. Can’t beat the price for this full flavoured, easy drinking & very pleasant wine. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, mild tannin, medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberries, black cherries, mocha, dry herbs, Allspice, turmeric, vanilla & cedar.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable winegrowing

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 4-7 years on its own or pair it with Crispy BBQ smashed potatoes drizzled in tangy BBQ sauce

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy

Tasted: Sept 16, 2021

LCBO: 18782

LISTEL GRAIN DE GRIS ROSÉ 2020, IGP Terres du Midi, France

22 Tuesday Jun 2021

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

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $11.80
Grape: Grenache, Cinsault, Cabernet
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Terres du Midi, France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Listel
Alcohol:  11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Best rosé I’ve tasted in a very long time. Fresh, dry & clean rosé with fruity & spicy notes that could sell more than double the selling price. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, white peach, blood orange, apricots, nutmeg, dill & lilac on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Winery has been around since 1883. Serve this wine well chilled.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Pan-Roadted Hake & Romesco Sauce with Leeks, Scallions & Fingerling Potatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing & Best Buy, Top Pick

Tasted: June 21, 2021

LCBO: 15568

FLOR DE MAIO MAYFLOWER 2016, IG Alentejano, Portugal

02 Sunday May 2021

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

≈ Leave a comment


Cost: $13.95
Grape: Trincadeira, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Alentejano
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnum Vinhos Wines
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An undervalued wine, which is great for the consumer, as you get lots of red fruit with spiciness. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Opaque in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate, mulberry, white & black peppers, Allspice, licorice & fennel on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine is Vegan friendly & 100% fermented in stainless steel.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with BBQ Alabama Beef Ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Best Buy

Tasted: May 1, 2021

LCBO: 427195