Category Archives: Best Buys

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

CHEVALIER MONOPOLE DRY ROSÉ SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, France

25 Sunday Jul 2021

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: White & Red Grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Maison Chevalier
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant, easy drinking off-dry rosé sparkling wine with substance & a nice flowery nose. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberries, Fuji apples, raspberry, sweet cherries, cranberries & roses on the nose.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Natural fermentation in VAT with an aging of 3 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with baked Brie with raspberries.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 25, 2021

LCBO: 485920

CELENE AMÉTHYSTE BRUT BLANC DE NOIRS, Méthode Traditionnelle, NV, AOP Crémant de Bordeau, France

21 Wednesday Jul 2021

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cabernet Franc & Merlot
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Celene Bordeaux
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A creamy dry sparkling wine that shows a lot considering this wine is under $18 & made in the traditional method. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, brioche, yeast, green apples, pears, redcurrants, clementine, kiwi & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Celene’s sparkling wine bottles are stored in underground cellars dug in the 18th century in the limestone rock of the Right Bank of the Garonne. In these galleries, which are naturally thermoregulated at 13°C, the second fermentation in the bottle will then begin, which corresponds to the foaming process. This stage is crucial : the fineness of the bubble depends on its success. The foaming lasts about 6 weeks during which the still wine is transformed into sparkling wine to reach up to 6 bars of pressure in the bottles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3 – 4 years on its own or pair it with escargot in garlic butter & shredded cheese.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 18, 2021

LCBO: 19031

TERRA D’ALIGI TATONE MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2016, DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo, Italy

08 Thursday Jul 2021

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Terra D’Aligi
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

If you want a full body Italian red wine that is delicious, has a lot to offer, ready to drink now or cellar & yet inexpensive; this wine is it. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, dusty tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, blackberry, raspberry, oregano, sage, peppercorn, cardamon & leather,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Tatone is a nickname for grandfather. This wine as aged 24 months in big barrels made of oak of Slavonia and 3 months in bottle.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with wood oven Margarita Pizza

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 6, 2021

LCBO: 994616

NIRO DI CITRA MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2016, DOC Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Italy

03 Saturday Jul 2021

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Montepulciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Montepulciano D’Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Codice di Citra
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rustic style wine that selling at a great price. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, mulberry, plum, tobacco leaves, cocoa, thyme, button mushrooms, liquorice, black peppers & aged balsamic.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with mushroom, tomato, pepperoni thin crust pizza.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 30, 2021

LCBO: 278150

GEMMA BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ NV, Traditional Method, Limari Valley, Chile

27 Sunday Jun 2021

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 70% Pinot Noir, 30% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Limari Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Spumante Limari
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant quality dry rosé sparkling wine at a great price. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Pale bronze in colour with good acidity fine mousse, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lightly toasted, brioche, yeast, cherry, red currants, strawberries, raspberries, green & red apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This organic sparkling wine was aged in bottle for at least 24 months.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Lobster Eggs Benedict with Plantain Tostones and Hollandaise

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 27, 2021

LCBO: 18558

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

CHÂTEAU GRAVES DE RABION 2016, AOC Saint-Emilion, Bordeau, France

21 Monday Jun 2021

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: 90% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Èmilion, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Chateau Graves de Rabion
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A mix of berries, spice & earth notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, blackcurrants, cloves, Champagne mushrooms, rosemary, cedar, leather, vanilla & barnyard aromas.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: As the nose is dusty & barnyard, this may detract some people, but go beyond the nose & you should enjoy this wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Entrecote Bordelaise.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 15, 2021

LCBO: 92536

CHÂTEAU LARROQUE 2016, AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France

18 Friday Jun 2021

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Merlot & Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ducourt
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This left bank Bordeaux is one dimensional, but inexpensive & pleasant drinking. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackcurrant, plum, cherry, raspberry, blackberry, anise, nutmeg, vanilla & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Marie-Christine, the daughter of Henri Ducourt, purchased this prestigious left-bank property in 1979, which lies on the border of the Graves appellation. The 60-hectare vineyard was rapidly replanted and the château building, which dates from 1348, was restored.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Flank Steak

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 15, 2021

LCBO: 92536

CHÂTEAU TERRE BLANQUE 2018, AC Côtes de Bordeaux

10 Thursday Jun 2021

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 80% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: SCEA Terre Blanque
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking wine with substance all at a good price. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, bramble fruit, turmeric, cassis, pencil shavings & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Garlic Butter Steak Bites

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 9, 2021

LCBO: 18577

LA GRANGE DES COMBES 2018, AC Saint-Chinian Roquebrun, Languedoc, France

06 Sunday Jun 2021

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: 45% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 20% Mourvèdre
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Saint-Chinian Roquebrun, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave de Roquebrun
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious combination of red fruits, spiciness & earthiness. Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherry, strawberries, raspberries, dried herbs, mocha, portobello mushrooms, & white pepper

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Reminds me of Vaqueyras

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Herb Duck Breast

My Opinion: Top Pick & Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 5, 2021

LCBO: 155804