Category Archives: Best Buys

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

DUCA DI SARAGNANO GOVERNO 2019, IGT Tuscany, Italy

14 Saturday May 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Sangiovese/Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Duca Di Saragnano
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, full flavoured & easy to drink Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, dusty tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark & sour cherries, sweet plum, raspberries, blackberry, sage, cocoa, turmeric, graphite & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine is made according to the ancient Tuscan tradition of governo alla toscana, whereby partially dried grapes are added into the winemaking after first fermentation.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with rosticciana.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 13, 2022

LCBO: 25399

SHANNON RANCH CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2019, California, United States of America

11 Wednesday May 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, 7% Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Shannon Ridge Family of Wines
Alcohol: 13.9 % Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced Cab Sauv from Cali with moderate alcohol & great taste. Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, firm tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, blackberry, mulberry, plum, crème de cassis, Allspice, black pepper, anise, turmeric, pencil shavings, vanilla & cedar.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Shannon Ridge won the 2021 Green Medal Environment Award for their efforts in creating sustainably farmed wines.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Porterhouse Steak

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 10, 2022

LCBO: 24097

OPHÉLIE ROSÉ 2020, AOP Coteaux D’Aix en Provence, France

27 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 84.3% Syrah, 15.7% Grenache Noir.
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Coteaux D’Aix en Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Le Cellier D’Equilles
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Provence rosé being elegant & crisp. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Light rose gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, honeydew melon, pink grapefruit, watermelon, basil, blood orange & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-4 years on its own or pair it with pan fried prawns.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 26, 2022

LCBO: 20083

LE BONHEUR CHARDONNAY 2020, Western Cape, South Africa

12 Tuesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Le Bonheau
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Lightly wooded this Chard is medium body, clean & crisp. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, yellow plum & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Teriyaki Stir Fry chicken, vegetables on a bed of rice.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 11, 2022

LCBO: 20970

IDI DI MARZO MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO 2019, DOC Abruzzo, Italy

09 Saturday Apr 2022

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

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Montepulciano
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Villamagna, Abruzzo
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Federico de Cerchio Family Estates
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

High score due to exceptional value, high quality, smooth, balanced, simply delicious & tasted the same after trying the wine on a variety of different glassware. Score: 97/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, fine grained tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, ripe redcurrants, raspberry, roasted red peppers, licorice, cocoa, thyme, sage, Champagne mushrooms, tobacco leaves & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Sustainable wine & Vegan

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Eggplant Parmesan.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick, Amazing & Best Buy

Tasted: April 8, 2022

LCBO: 23862

CECCHI STORIA DI FAMIGLIA CHIANTI CLASSICO 2019, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

07 Thursday Apr 2022

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

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cecchi
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but delicious & smooth all at a great price. Score: 93/100.

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 cherry, mulberry, pomegranate, thyme, arugula, cocoa powder & leather.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in 5-7 years on its own or pair it with wood oven pizza with Speck, arugula & a melody of baby tomatoes.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: April 6, 2022

LCBO: 540922

SAWTOOH RED BLEND 2018, Idaho, United States of America

06 Wednesday Apr 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Merlot, Syrah, Petit Verdot, Pinot Noir, Petite Syrah, Tempranillo & Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages Online Exclusive
Country: United States of America
Region: Idaho
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sawtooth Winery
Alcohol: 13.6 % Alcohol/Vol.

With 7 red blends, this could have gone very easily to the sweet side, but the winemaker; Meredith Smith, succeeds in having an easy drinking, smooth wine that’s balanced. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, light tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Ripe cherry, plum, Crème de Cassis, raspberry, blackberry, chocolate, tamarind, Allspice, tobacco leaves, truffles, cinnamon, vanilla & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Nice to have an Idaho wine at the LCBO

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with homemade Beef soup with twice cooked Caribbean golden potatoes and garlic, scotch bonnet and fresh basil.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 5, 2022

LCBO: 21174

CHÂTEAU MAUCOIL 2019, AOP Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages, France

01 Friday Apr 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Grenache (50%) Syrah (25%) Carignan (25%)
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château Maucoil
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Intense & powerful yet shows finesse. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, fine grain tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, raspberry, plum, blackberry, blueberry, cassis, anise, vanilla & cherrywood

Negatives: The heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Organic wine

Pairings: Drink this now or in 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Stewed Beef Tips with gravy

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: March 30, 2022

LCBO: 638502

LUNDY MANOR LUNDY RED 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

24 Thursday Mar 2022

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: 67% Cabernet Franc, 16% Merlot, 13.5% Syrah, 3.5% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Lundy Manor Wine Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Best value Canadian red wine I’ve tasted to date. Beautifully made that has elegance, smooth, complexed & all at an amazing price. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, blackberry, tamarind, raspberry, blueberry, Crème de cassis, baking spice, black & white peppers, cassis, Star Anise, dry figs, cocoa, vanilla & lavender on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Vinification Notes: the grapes were all 100% handpicked, then hard sorted, and fermented on their skins. A portion of the wine was placed on appassimento skins in a Ripasso style, then aged in a combination or French and American oak for a minimum of 18 months each.” LM Also I love the classic elegant wine label.

Pairings: Drink this now or in 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Marinated Leg of Lamb

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: March 21, 2022

LCBO: 21656

CHÂTEAU DE MANISSY LE MOULIN LE MOULIN DE NOTRE DAME TAVEL 2020, AOP Tavel, France

16 Wednesday Mar 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $19.95 (Clearance Price: $14.00)
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Clairette, Cinsault
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Tavel
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Manissy
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

Beautifully made, balanced with juicy notes. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Bright deep salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, strawberry, raspberry, peach, pink grapefruit, persimmon & cinnamon.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Certified organic and biodynamic by Ecocert and Demeter respectively

Pairings: Drink this now or in 2-3 years on its own or pair it with BBQ sweet chili wings

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at clearance price

Tasted: March 3, 2022

LCBO: 19573