Category Archives: Best Buys

Recommended wines considering the price, usually under $26, where it’s from, the winery and the varietal.

PEDRONCELLI MERLOT 2019, Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

31 Friday Mar 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cost: $23.99 KY
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Grand Cayman
Country: United States of America
Region: Dry Creek Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Pedroncelli
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich, juicy Merlot with some spiciness. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, crème de cassis, raspberry, plum, black tea, mocha, Star Anise, cloves, oak spice, tobacco, vanilla, leather & arugula.

Negatives: The heat from the high alcohol of 14.5%

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with ribeye steak.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 30, 2023

RICKETY BRIDGE CHARDONNAY 2020, Franschhoek, South Africa

27 Monday Mar 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $20.99 KY
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott
Country: South Africa
Region: Franschhoek
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Rickety Bridge Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice balance of oak, fruit, acidity & spice. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, peach, pear, light caramel, honey, light oak spice & orange blossoms on the nose.

Negatives: None

WINE MAKING: “This wine was fermented in 500l French oak barrels and Austrian foudres. (10% new and 90% older) The must was fermented at 14° – 17° C and lees was stirred up daily. The wine was matured for 10 months.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years on its own or pair it with seared shrimp in garlic butter sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 27, 2023

BERONIA ROSÉ 2021, DOC Rioja, Spain

09 Thursday Mar 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95 (Clearance Price: $9.80)
Grape: 50% Tempranillo, 50% Garnacha
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas Beronia
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An earthlier style rosé. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light pink in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberry, thyme, Kalamata olives & Champagne mushrooms.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “On arrival at the winery both the Tempranillo and Garnacha grapes underwent cold pre-fermentation maceration for several hours, which extracted as much as possible of their primary aromas. Next, they underwent static debourbage at 5ºC, then alcoholic fermentation at a controlled temperature below 22ºC immediately afterwards. Finally, the wine was bottled in January 2022 and rested in bottle at least 2 months before being released to the market.”
‘WINEMAKER´

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years, on its own or pair it with Paella Valenciana.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the clearance price

Tasted: March 8, 2023

LCBO: 323519

ZENATO SOAVE CLASSICO COLOMBRA 2021, DOC Soave, Veneto, Italy

08 Wednesday Mar 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines

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Cost: $17.99 KY (March 2023 sale: $12.99 KY)
Grape: 70% Garganega, 30% Trebbiano
Category: White Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Italy
Region: Soave, Veneto
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Zenato
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the best Soave’s I’ve had tasted as it has a lot of complexity. Clean & crisp with a beautiful white flower nose. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon-lime, lemon meringue, green apples, pear, honeydew melon, white peace, limestone & elderflower on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years, on its own or pair it with Focaccia

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at the sale price

Tasted: March 4, 2023

ARIENZO DE MARQUES DE RISCAL RIOJA 2016 CRIANZA, DO CA Rioja, Spain

02 Thursday Mar 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $16.99 KY
Grape: 95% Tempranillo, 5% Graciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bodegas Herederos del Marqués de Riscal
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja Crianza with nice fruits & spices all at a good price point. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, grainy tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, pomegranate, strawberry, raspberry, peppercorn, nutmeg, cloves, coconut, vanilla & sandalwood on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 18 months aged in American oak barrels followed more aging in the bottle.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: March 1, 2023

VILLA AIX EN PROVENCE ROSÉ 2021, AOP Coteaux D’Aix en Provence, France

19 Sunday Feb 2023

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

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Cost: $20.95 (Clearance price: $16.75)
Grape: 60% Grenache, 35% Cinsault, 5% Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Coteaux D’Aix en Provence
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Le Vins Bréban
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Elegant, generous, very dry and delicious. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Light salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, cranberry, honeydew melon, clementines, Fuji Apples, white peach, clay minerality & red roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The vineyards of the Coteaux d’Aix-en-Provence are the most westerly of the wines of Provence.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years, on its own or pair it with Charcuterie.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: February 14, 2023

LCBO: 668426

SEGURA VIUDAS BRUT RESERVA CAVA, NV, Método Tradicional, DO Cava, Spain

18 Saturday Feb 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price until Feb 26, 2023: $14.95)
Grape: 50% Macabeo, 30% Xarel·lo, 20% Parellada
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Segura Viudas
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably my favourite inexpensive sparkling wine as it features fruitiness, freshness and complexity. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pear, pitaya, Granny apples, peach, & fresh cut carnations on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Autolysis of the yeast cells in the base wine for 3 months before bottling, and a second autolysis of the yeast cells for a minimum of 15 months ageing in bottle.” Winery. Really like the new

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years, on its own or pair it with Porcini mushroom risotto.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: February 12, 2023

LCBO: 216960

ALBINO ARMANI 1607 CONEGLIANO VALDOBBIADENE, NV, DOCG Valdobbiadene, Prosecco Superiore, Veneto, Italy

07 Tuesday Feb 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance Price: $15.20)
Grape: Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Italy
Region: Valdobbiadene, Prosecco Superiore, Veneto
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Albino Armani
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An elegant, delicious extra-dry Prosecco at a great price. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pear, Granny apples, pink grapefruit, apricot & roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years, on its own or pair it with Parmigiano Reggiano.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: February 5, 2023

LCBO: 16602

FREIXENET ITALIAN ROSÉ EXTRA DRY SPARKLING WINE, NV, Charmat Method, Italy

31 Tuesday Jan 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance Price: $15.40)
Grape: Pinot Noir & Glera
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Italy
Region:
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Freixenet
Alcohol: 11.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but very pleasant, easy drinking sparkling wine with fresh fruit. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Pink/salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, raspberry, MacIntosh apples, lemon zest & roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Beautiful bottle

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-4 years, on its own or pair it with Roasted Salmon and Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: January 29, 2023

LCBO: 11222

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY GASTRONOMY UNFILTERED CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

17 Tuesday Jan 2023

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced showing citric fruit & spiciness. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Light yellow gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon zest, pineapple, peach, apples, pear, caramel, vanilla, oak spice

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 2020 was a great vintage year for Ontario wines.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with snow crab lobster with drawn butter.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 16 & August 21, 2022