Category Archives: Best Buys

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

CHÂTEAU BELLEVUE LA FORÊT 2018, AOP Fronton, France

24 Monday Jan 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: 55% Négrette, 20% Syrah, 15% Cab Sauv 10% Cab Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Fronton, South West France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Bellevue La Forêt
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.
Fresh first palate, then fruity and spicy when the wine opens up. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Elderberry, Aronia berry, blackberry, blackcurrant, cocoa, nutmeg, pepper & baby arugula.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Négrette, a unique grape variety in the world, appeared in the 12th century under the name of “MAVRO” (black in Greek) brought from Cyprus by the Knights of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem. Demanding, it has become acclimatized to this single terroir of Fronton; Négrette is one of the rare grape varieties to reveal aromas in wine identical to those found when crunching fresh grapes.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Coffee and Cracked Pepper Rubbed Smoked Beef Brisket.

My Opinion: Recommended
Best Buy
Tasted: Jan 22, 2022
LCBO: 354134

FOLKLORE CABERNET MERLOT 2018, Western Australia

20 Thursday Jan 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Cabernet & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Western Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Negociants International
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Not a complex wine but it has intense flavours & pleasant to drink. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Mint, blackcurrants, plum, strawberry, mocha & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Lamb and Rosemary Meat Pie

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 19, 2022

LCBO: 20879

LAURENT MIQUEL NORD SUD VIOGNIER 2020, Pays d’Oc, France

18 Tuesday Jan 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pays d’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Laurent Miquel
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice crisp wine with some substance all at a fair price. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pear, white peach, kumquat, some vanilla & acacia on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Broiled Cod with Fennel and Orange in Almond Crust

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 15, 2022

LCBO: 673236

CHÂTEAU LA COMMANDERIE DU BARDELET 2019, AOC Bordeaux, France

13 Thursday Jan 2022

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 70% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 5% Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Famille Petit Les Grands Vins
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Well made, easy drinking with nice flavours. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackberry, anise, cassis, cloves, pencil shavings, leather & vanilla sticks.  

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Boeuf de Bazas

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 12, 2022

LCBO: 21282

LEONARDO CHIANTI RISERVA 2017, DOC Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

12 Wednesday Jan 2022

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cantine Leonardo Da Vinci Scrl
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Once the wine smooths out, it’s an excellent valued Chianti Riserva. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, chalky tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherry, red currants, mulberry, oregano, basil, tomato leaves, arugula & mushrooms.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: To smooth out this wine, I recommend decanting it and let it rest for about an hour.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Tagliatelle al tartufo

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 11, 2022

LCBO: 19698

OAK BAY PINOT NOIR 2019, VQA Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada

10 Monday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Okanagan Valley, BC
Format: 750 mL
Producer: St. Hubertus & Oak Bay Estate Winery
Alcohol:  13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently good vintage to vintage & one would be hard to find a better Pinot under $20.  Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sour cherries, red plum, beetroot, peat moss, Champagne mushrooms & smoked cherry tobacco on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vineyards planted in 1928, Oak Bay now is 100% sustainable & organically maintained.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 6-7 years on its own or pair it with Honey Roasted Duck.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 9, 2022 LCBO: 267146

FORTANT GRANDS TERROIRS 2018, AOC Minervois, Languedoc, France

09 Sunday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: 80% Syrah, 20% Grenache
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Minervois, Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fortant
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive both taste & cost. On the taste it’s complex, full flavoured, smoky & meaty.  Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, blackberries, cassis, cloves, cocoa, sage, black pepper, licorice, anise, portobello mushrooms, black olives & smoked ambers.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: After trying several styles of wine glassware, I found that the Syrah style was the best as it gave the wine a smoother after taste than other styles such as Bordeaux.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Pappardelle Pasta with Portobello Mushroom Ragu.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 8, 2022

LCBO: 20713

LAGAR DE ROBLA PREMIUM MENCIA 2016, DO Castilla y León, Spain

07 Friday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Mencia
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla y León
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Viños de Arganza
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Full body wine that’s complexed & not jammy or sweet plus it’s under $20. Great alternative for someone that wants a red wine other than the classic varietals. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherries, plum, tamarind, blackberries, raisins, cassis, cloves, dark chocolate, sage, Allspice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: After trying several styles of wine glassware, I found that the Syrah style was the best as it gave the wine a smoother after taste than other styles such as Bordeaux.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-6 years on its own or pair it with Spanish Beef Empanadas

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 6, 2022

LCBO: 439729

KEN FORRESTER OLD VINES RESERVE CHENIN BLANC 2020, Stellenbosch, South Africa

06 Thursday Jan 2022

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chenin Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ken Forrester Vineyards
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A consistent winner year to year, delivers citric, spicy & smoky notes. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, spicy backed apples, pink grapefruit, white peach, flint, honeycomb, vanilla & verbena on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “They farm sustainably with no herbicides or pesticides, till by hand, prune thin bunches and leaves all by hand and finally harvest by hand.” (KF)

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 5, 2022

LCBO: 231282

KEW MARSANNE/VIOGNIER 2018, VQA Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

05 Wednesday Jan 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 68% Marsanne, 32% Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada     
Region: Beamsville Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kew Vineyards
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant wine showing citric fruits & minerality. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon/lime, grapefruit, white peach, pear, apricot, limestone & fresh cut white flowers.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 50% Stainless Steel Fermented, 50% Barrel Fermented, Aged 6 months.

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Jan 4, 2022

LCBO: 485334