Category Archives: Best Buys

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

CUVÉE JEAN PHILIPPE BRUT 2018, Méthode Traditionnelle, AOC Blanquette de Limoux, France

02 Saturday Oct 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Mauzac & Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Blanquette de Limoux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Rosier
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Rich & creamy with slight sweetness & good acidity.  Score: 91/100.

Tasting Note: Yellow straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dry apple peel, brioche, light toast almonds, lemon, pear, green apples, peach, honeycomb & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The vines from which this seductive blanquette originate are located on the hills to the west of Limoux, and more specifically in the commune of Villelongue d’Aude, an ancient fortified village constructed in a ‘circulade’ (a traditional village of the area built in concentric circles).” Domaine Rosier

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Honey Garlic Roasted Pheasant.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 26, 2021

LCBO: 467217

MICHEL GASSIER EMBRUNS DE VIOGNIER 2020, Pay D’Oc, France

30 Thursday Sep 2021

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

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Camargue, Pays D’Oc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine Gassier
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A beautifully made Viognier with richness, oiliness & full of flavour.  Score: 94/100.

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon drops, apricot, Golden Delicious apple, peach, clementine, nectarine & oyster shell.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine is Bio Organic.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with Tangerine Sage Rotisserie Chicken. 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 29, 2021

LCBO: 669531

GASSIER SABLES D’AZUR ROSÉ 2020, AOP Provence, France

22 Wednesday Sep 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: Cinsault, Grenache & Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Provence
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Advini
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious dry rosé that is elegant & full of flavour. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Rose gold in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Rainier Cherries, strawberries, cranberries, peach, Fuji Apples, limestone & bouquet of roses on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Moroccan quail with rose-petal sauce & cucumber relish.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 21, 2021

LCBO: 33621

PONGRÁCZ BRUT PINOT NOIR/CHARDONNAY CAP CLASSIQUE, NV, W.O. Western Cape, South Africa

19 Sunday Sep 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: 60% Pinot Noir, 40% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: W.O. Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves de Pongrácz
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Quality, complexity & delicious to drink all at an amazing price. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Baked apples, light yeast, brioche, green apples, kumquat, kiwi & honeycomb & limestone.  

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: In my opinion Pongrácz produces the best sparkling, in the traditional method, at an amazing price, bar none. Check out my review of their rosé sparkling wine. In addition, I love the shape of their bottles.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 8-10 years on its own or pair it with red onion vinaigrette.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 19, 2021

LCBO: 404111

GRAN FEUDO RESERVA 2016, DO Navarra, Spain

03 Friday Sep 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale Price until Sept 12, 2021: $16.95)
Grape: 37% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 30% Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gran Feudo
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Clean, lighter style, not a complex blend of Cab/Merlot/Tempranillo which is pleasant to drink. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense+ nose, mild tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, blackberry, raspberry, plum, mulberry, turmeric & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: My preference is using a Tempranillo style glassware as this isn’t a bold wine

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with lamb chops with pesto sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 3, 2021

LCBO: 479014

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE DRY RIESLING 2020, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

31 Tuesday Aug 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Riesling
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery,
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, clean, dry & not complex but has quality. Score: 88/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with high acidity, medium intense+ nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lime, kiwi, pear, green apples & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 10+ years on its own or pair it with sweet chilli wings

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 31, 2021

PIERRE JOURDAN BELLE ROSE SPARKLING WINE, NV, Méthode Cap Classique, Western Cape, South Africa

26 Thursday Aug 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Haute Cabrière, Franschhoek
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple yet elegant brut rosé sparkling wine. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Pale copper in colour with good acidity with fine mousse, medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Strawberry, cherry & red apples.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Beautiful Rose!” said the grandmother of our Cellar Master when she saw the colour.

South Africa is producing the best rosé sparkling wines at great prices

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with whipped Ricotta cherry crostini.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 15, 2021

LCBO: 18569

PAUL MAS RÉSERVE NICOLE VINEYARD VIOGNIER 2019, Pays D’Oc, France

23 Monday Aug 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Paul Mas
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp, clean, full of orchard fruits. ‘Luxe rural’ (simple luxury). Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Straw to gold in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon-lime, peach, apricot, pear, limestone & honey.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with Caprese Salad

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 22, 2021

LCBO: 370098

HIDALGO TRADICIÒN H RESERVA 2015, DOC Rioja, Spain

21 Saturday Aug 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vinicola Hidalgo
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja Tempranillo. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, dark cherry, raspberry, cassis, star anise, sage, tobacco, espresso, arugula, vanilla, baking spice, leather & sandalwood on the nose.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with grilled lamb chops

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Aug 20, 2021

LCBO: 18933

MONTEMAJOR EQUINOX LIMITED EDITION 2017, IGT Campania, Italy

03 Tuesday Aug 2021

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Aglianico and Piedirosso
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Campania
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Montemajor
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious wine that is fresh, smooth with lots of fruits & spiciness. Score: 95/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, medium intense nose, soft tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberry, cherry, raspberry, strawberry, aged balsamic, licorice, cinnamon, Allspice & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The name Equinox, comes from the Latin aequa-nox which literally means equal night, as this is one of the two solely days in which night and day have the same length. EQUINOX recalls the period of harvest of this wine, when summer ends letting autumn taking its course. The grapes were harvested during the Fall Equinox on 21 September 2017.

Although I enjoyed this wine in a variety of wine glasses, the Sangiovese/Riesling glassware won out.

Pairings: Drink this now or in next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Mussels Marinara with Linguine

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: July 31, 2021

LCBO: 19027