Category Archives: Best Buys

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

CHATEAU LA GRAVIÈRE, CUVÉE LES TERRASSES 2016, AOC Côtes De Bourg, Bordeaux, France

16 Friday Oct 2020

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

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 70% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes de Bourg, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: GFA Rodet Recapet
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An excellent wine that you would easily pay twice the price. A nice, juicy Merlot based wine that is drinking well now and will also age nicely. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Dark to opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, plum, blackcurrants, blackberries, turmeric, pencil shavings, leather & fresh cut carnations on the nose.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This AOC is one of the oldest wine producing regions in France, in large part due to its highly trafficked location off the river and vine friendly soil. Historians date Côtes de Bourg”s viticulture back to the Second Century where Romans planted “Vitis Biturica”, an ancestor of Cabernet.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: October 15, 2020

LCBO: 14454

TRINITY OAKS CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

04 Sunday Oct 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale Price until Oct 11, 2020: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trinity Oaks
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Who says you can’t find a good inexpensive California Chard that isn’t either overly oaked, sweet or high in alcohol? Might have been me. Well look no further in this well styled & balanced Chard. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & red apples, pear, peach, dill, oak spice, vanilla & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: In partnership with Trees for the Future, a nonprofit that has planted over 180 million trees, Trinity Oaks plants one tree per bottle purchased. The grapes are grown in sustainably farmed vineyards.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 4 of years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 4, 2020

LCBO: 15762

MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES EXCELLENS CUVÉE ESPECIAL 2016, DOC Rioja, Spain

04 Sunday Oct 2020

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marqués de Cáceres
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This is a gem of a find for those who love their aged Tempranillos. The label is true to form as this wine is “excellens” Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Deep dark blood ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, firm tannin & a good long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, raspberry, tamarind, graphite, clove, black tea, espresso & sandalwood.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Wine Spectator also rated this at 92.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 7-10 of years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: October 3, 2020

LCBO: 10684

TRIUS BARREL FERMENTD CHARDONNAY 2019, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

03 Saturday Oct 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Oct 11, 2020: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Trius Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Fresh new label, both on the front & back, which I really like, and although this wine is still very young, it presents balance between the oak aging & citric notes. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Bright light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green apples, pear, peach, dill, ginger, oak spice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: New label on the front & back with the back label giving the consumer a lot of good information.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with seared scallops.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 2, 2020

LCBO: 251470

GREENLAND ESTATE WINERY CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

27 Sunday Sep 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price: $17.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Greenlane Estate Winery
Alcohol:  13.4% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex, but pleasant. This is a nice bridge between un-oaked and oaked Chard. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Straw to light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green apples, pear, peach & vanilla custard.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 50/50 between oak barrels & stainless tanks.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with Chilean Sea Bass with lemon, dill & caper sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 27, 2020

PELEE ISLAND CHARDONNAY 2018, VQA Ontario, Canada

26 Saturday Sep 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $12.45 (Sale price: $11.45)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple, crisp unoaked Chard that is priced right. Score: 87/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. Wine features lemon zest, green apple, pear & passion fruit.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The 2018 label is a lot nicer than their previous ones for this Chard.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with tangy Caesar salad.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 26, 2020

GREENLANE ESTATE WINERY SUR LIE CHARDONNAY 2012, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

24 Thursday Sep 2020

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

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Cost: $24.95 (Sale price $19.95)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Greenlane Estate Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

If you like buttered popcorn, you’ll love this. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Yellow to old gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon meringue pie, pineapple, peach, pear, yellow apples, yellow plum, buttered popcorn, & oak spice.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The winery is getting low on how many bottles they have.

Pairings: Drink this now or in couple of years on its own or pair it with rotisserie chicken .

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 24, 2020

CHÂTEAU LE CLOS DU NOTAIRE 2015, AOC Côtes De Bourg, Bordeaux, France

16 Wednesday Sep 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: 84% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Cabernet Franc.
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côtes De Bourg, Bordeaux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Le Clos Du Notaire
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely aged left bank Bordeaux at a great price. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Medium ruby to garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features blackcurrants, blackberry, blueberry, dark cherry, anise, pencil shavings, leather with violet notes on the nose.  

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 yrs. on its own or pair it with Mongolian beef.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 16, 2020

LCBO: 14718

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

15 Tuesday Sep 2020

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, White Wines

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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

BAR DOG CHARDONNAY 2018, California, United States of America

14 Monday Sep 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95 (Clearance Price: $14.35
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Our Cellars
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice to see a California Chard under $18 that is not: A) above 14% alcohol, B) sweet, C) overtly oaky. This balanced Chard offers a lot for the buck. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon meringue pie, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, kumquat, yellow plum, vanilla & oak spice.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: From the winery: “My Best Friend… Bar Dog Companion, partner, bone-vivant. Always by my side. In my kitchen or at my dog-friendly bar until it is time to go. Like Bar Dog, we love this wine unconditionally. So will you.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 yrs. on its own or pair it with Devilled stuffed crab.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 14, 2020

LCBO: 10886