Category Archives: Best Buys

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

CERRO AŃON RESERVA 2014, Doca Rioja, Spain

04 Friday Oct 2019

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

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Cost: $20.95
Grape: 80% Tempranillo, 20% Graciano & Mazuelo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Olarra
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious, Rioja at its best

Positives: Deep ruby to garnet in colour with medium tannin this wine features cherry, raspberry, plum, ripe tamarind, Kirsch, sandalwood, leather, champagne mushroom, sage, arugula, cinnamon and cloves.

Negatives: Slight heat from the 14% alcohol

Interesting Point: Spent 20 months in American and French oak

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 7-10 years on its own or pair it with macadamia nut encrusted rack of lamb.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick

Tasted: October 4, 2019

LCBO: 114306

BURIED CANE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States of America

27 Friday Sep 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Buried Cane Winery
Alcohol:  13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

A full body, smooth & expressive Cab that’s is also well balanced

Positives: Medium+ purple to ruby in colour with medium tannin, this wine features dark cherry, plum, tamarind, blackberry, blueberry, cassis, turmeric, leather, cedar, spinach leaves

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Buried Cane” refers to the practice of burying grapevine canes to protect them from freezing the cold Washington winters.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with beef ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 27, 2019

LCBO: 402081

KRONE ROSÉ BRUT 2017, Méthode Cap Classique, Tulbagh, Western Cape, South Africa

18 Sunday Aug 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 85% Pinot Noir, 15% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Tulbagh, Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Twee Jonge Gezellen
Alcohol:  11.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

For those that like vintage Champagne rosés but cost 75% less

Positives: Dark salmon to rust in colour with a fine mousse. Wine features yeast, toasted hazelnut, brioche, strawberry, cherry, nectarine and red apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The historic Twee Jonge Gezellen farm in Tulbagh is the home of Krone, a collection of notable, vintage-only South African Méthode Cap Classiques made from grapes grown and night-harvested in this distinctive terroir.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 10 years on its own or pair it with maple flavoured bacon.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 18, 2019

LCBO: 130047

KIM CRAWFORD ROSÉ 2018, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand

15 Thursday Aug 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $17.95 (Sale price: $15.95 until Aug 18, 2019)
Grape: Merlot & Malbec
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kim Crawford Winery
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Love this wine as it’s easy drinking, dry yet juicy

Positives: This salmon colour rosé features strawberry, watermelon, nectarine, Honeycrisp apple and peaches.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with grilled pork chops

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 15, 2019

LCBO: 650325

HENRY OF PELHAM ROSÉ 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

07 Wednesday Aug 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $14.95 (Sale Price: 12.95 until Aug 18)
Grape: Pinot Noir, Gamay Noir, Riesling, Pinot Gris
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Henry of Pelham
Alcohol: 11 % Alcohol/Vol.

A Provence style rosé that’s nice, easy drinking, crisp but juicy

Positives: This wine features strawberry, cherry, cranberry, Honeycrisp apple and rose pedals on the nose.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with BBQ pork ribs

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy and Amazing buy at the sale price

Tasted: August 7, 2019

LCBO: 613471

THREE THIEVES CHARDONNAY 2017, California Republic, United States of America

29 Monday Jul 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $15.80 (Sale price until July 21, 2019)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California Republic
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rebel Wine
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Great value Chard that delivers tons of flavour for the price & it’s not your typical commercial, mass produced California Chard

Positives: This soft, rich and creamy wine features toasted butter, lemon, peach, mango, oak spice, ginger and dill.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Jerk chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 29, 2019

LCBO: 633560

KACABA REBECCA ROSÉ 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

05 Friday Jul 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $18.35
Grape: Gamay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 12.3 % Alcohol/Vol.

This is what a rosé should be; refreshing, dry, juicy, flavourful & easy drinking

Positives: Salmon in colour featuring strawberry, raspberry, white cranberry, pink grapefruit & limestone.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with St. Louis style BBQ pork chops.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: July 4, 2019

KACABA OAK AGED CHARDONNAY 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

29 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Kacaba Vineyards & Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $25.35
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kacaba Vineyards & Winery
Alcohol: 12.6 % Alcohol/Vol.

A well balanced Canadian Chard that is pleasant to drink

Positives: Bright gold in colour, this wine features lemon tarts, peach, nectarines, pineapples, honeydew melon, vanilla, oak spice, dill and ginger.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged 8 months in French wood.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with crab Alfredo.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 29, 2019

RIVAROSE BRUT SPARKLING ROSÉ NV, IGP Salon De Provence, Mediterranee, Provence, France

22 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: 50% Grenache, %50 Syrah
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Salon De Provence, Mediterranee, Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rivarose
Alcohol: 12.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Refreshing Provence sparkling rosé that glides easily over the palate

Positives: Rose gold in with a fine mousse that features raspberry, pink grapefruit, nectarine, honey and almond nugget.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Established in 1909, Rivarose is situated in Salon De Provence, and is now Provence’s oldest and largest producer in sparkling wines.

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with omelette.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 22, 2019

LCBO: 515288

PONGRÁZ CAP CLASSIQUE ROSÉ BRUIT NV, WO Western Cape, South Africa

08 Saturday Jun 2019

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave de Pongráz
Alcohol: 12.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best  traditional method rosés under $30, & this wine is under $20!. It’s an almost bone dry rosé with wonderful red berries & classic brioche

Positives: Copper in colour with a fine mousse. Wine features brioche, biscuit, raspberries, strawberries, dragon fruit and kiwi.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Original tasting review July 24, 2016

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with calamari.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 8, 2019

LCBO: 646968