Category Archives: Amazing Buys

Wines under $13

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

MARQUÉS DE TORO FINCA LA MOURA MENCÍA 2015, CEO Castilla y León, Spain

23 Tuesday Mar 2021

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Mencía & other Spanish Reds
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla y León
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Alvares de Toro
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Undervalued wine that’s well-made, complex & featuring juicy fruit notes & spiciness. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Opaque purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & an average length on the finish. This wine features: black cherry, plum, ripe tamarind, mulberry, blackberry, blueberry, dark chocolate, black peppers, cassis, anise, tomato leaves, leather & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: I believe you could bring this bottle to a dinner party & people will think it’s a $30+ bottle of wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Seafood Paella

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing & Best Buys

Tasted: March 22, 2021

LCBO: 545939

ROBERTSON WINERY CHENIN BLANC 2020, South Africa

22 Tuesday Dec 2020

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

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Cost: $9.45
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: South Africa
Region: Roberston, Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Robertson Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Mon Dieu: An amazing, brilliant, beautiful & gorgeous white wine & all for under $10?! I must be dreaming, but I’m not.  Score: 94/100. This is my highest rating wine so far for anything under $20.

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon-lime, Fuji apples, Granny Smith apples, peach, pear, pink grapefruit, beeswax, lanolin & Jasmin on the nose.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: My thanks Carolyn Evans Hammond the contributing columnist for the Toronto Star in her review of this wine on December 17, 2020, that drew me to try it and review for you.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with conch ceviche, especially from the George Town Yacht Club on Grand Cayman & add their famous Fritters to this pairing.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Pick, Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: December 18, 2020

LCBO: 495507

PAUL MAS RÉSERVE MARSANNE 2018, Pays D’Oc, France

15 Tuesday Sep 2020

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Marsanne
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Paul Mas Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

ABC (Anything But Chardonnay), well look no further as this Marsanne is undervalued, under appreciated and underpriced, which for the consumer to find is truly a treasure. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, pineapple, yellow plum, yellow apples and apple blossoms on the nose.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Love the bottle: elegant & classic.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 yrs. on its own or pair it with pan seared Chilean Sea Bass – glitter and graze.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: September 15, 2020

LCBO: 462457

GRAN FEUDO ROSÉ 2018, Navarra, Spain

07 Thursday May 2020

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

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Cost: $12.85 (Sale price until May 24: $11.35)
Grape: 38% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, 21% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gran Feudo
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the best Rosé you can find for under $13

Tasting Note: Rich pomegranate colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. Wine features strawberry, Dragon Fruit, orange.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: On the label it list Syrah but not Granache as one of the grapes used. However, on the Gran Feudo’s website it’s the opposite.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with BBQ spare ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: May 7, 2020

LCBO: 165845