Category Archives: Best Buys

Recommended wines considering the price, usually under $25, where it’s from, the winery and the varietal.

PIERRE SPARR BRUT ROSÉ, NV, Traditionnelle Méthode, AC Crémant D’Alsace, France

29 Saturday Oct 2022

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Pierre Sparr
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made Blanc de Noirs that is crisp, dry but having good fruitiness that doesn’t make it too tart. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Pomegranate in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Bing cherry, pomegranate, MacIntosh apples, strawberry, pink grapefruit & crisp mineral notes.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 8 years on its own or pair it with tuna tartare.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 28, 2022

LCBO: 39016

CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2018, AC Bordeaux, France

27 Thursday Oct 2022

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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: Darriet Family
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A juicy, fruit forward wine that’s easy to drink, very good quality especially at the price. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, mulberry, raspberry, dark chocolate, tobacco leaves, turmeric, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Aged in tanks for 18 months.

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 22, 2022

LCBO: 426247

STREWN WINERY SPARKLER, SAUVIGNON BLANC, NV, Méthode Cuve Close, VQA Ontario, Canada

17 Monday Oct 2022

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

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Cost: $25.00
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Strewn Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant surprise for this Charmat method Sauvignon Blanc. Not complex but good quality. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon/lime, honeydew melon, pink grapefruit, fresh grass & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Fermented in stainless steel down to dryness. Following stabilization and sterile filtration, the wine base underwent secondary fermentation to 6.5 g/L residual sugar in specialized pressurized tanks followed by battonage.” (Winery)

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 16, 2022

CHÂTEAU LARROGUE 2018, AC Bordeaux Supérieur, France

25 Sunday Sep 2022

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ducourt
Alcohol: 14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Good quality for the price. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose, powdery tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, raspberry, cassis, cocoa, tobacco, vanilla, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 24, 2022

LCBO: 92536

CHÂTEAU LES TOURELLES 2018, AC Bordeaux, France

19 Monday Sep 2022

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Merlot 80%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Château Les Tourelles
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Intense fruit & spicy flavours showing great quality all at a really good price point. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium to dark ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, plum, raspberry, cinnamon, cloves, tobacco, turmeric, vanilla, pencil shavings & leather.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 16, 2022

LCBO: 426247

13TH STREET WINERY JUNE’S VINEYARD CHARDONNAY 2020, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday Sep 2022

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Non LCBO Wine, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best Canadian non-oaked Chards I’ve tasted that shows a creamy rich texture along with minerality. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Straw with some gold tinge in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, pineapple, Jonagold apples, ripe pear, honeycomb, honeydew melon & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan Friendly

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with grilled shrimp

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 12, 2022

LCBO: 154617

CHÂTEAU VAUGELAS LE PRIEURÉ 2019, AOP Corbières, France

14 Wednesday Sep 2022

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Grenache 40%, Syrah 30%, Carignan 25%, Mourvèdre 5%
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Corbières
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Bonfils Vins & Château
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not your usual Corbières style as it’s light fruity, but still very pleasant & easy drinking. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Mulberry, strawberry, nectarine, black cherry, white pepper, vanilla,

Negatives: None

Interesting Point:

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 12, 2022

LCBO: 154617

COUTADA VELHA SIGNATURE RED 2020, IG Alentejano, Portugal

12 Monday Sep 2022

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Trincadeira, Aragonez and Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Alentejo
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Ravasqueira
Alcohol: 13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice easy, juicy dark fruits followed by spiciness. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, ripe tamarind, blackberries, mushrooms, truffles, cloves, Allspice & suede.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill to 14 – 16C

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Ensopado de borrego (Lamb Stew)

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 10, 2022

LCBO: 11152

PATRIARCHE BRUT ROSÉ CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE, NV, Crémant de Bourgogne, France

05 Monday Sep 2022

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Pinot Noir, Gamay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Crémant de Bourgogne
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mason Patriarche
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A very pleasant dry sparkling rosé. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Cooper in colour with fine mouse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Yeast, sour dough, wild strawberry, red currants & light ginger.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Vegan, Vegetarian

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Eggs Benedict Royale.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: September 3, 2022

LCBO: 16598

LA FLEUR DE FRANÇOIS BLANC BRUT CRÉMANT DE BORDEAUX, NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, AC Bordeaux, France

28 Sunday Aug 2022

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Semillon Blend
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Bordeaux
Format: 750 ml
Producer: La Fleur de François
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Food friendly dry sparkling wine at a good price. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mouse, good acidity, low intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light brioche, yeast, lemon, grapefruit, bruised apple, pear, wet stone & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Ackee & Saltfish.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 28, 2022

LCBO: 648170