Category Archives: Best Buys

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

LUNDY MANOR WINE CELLARS PROPRIETOR’S RED 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

13 Friday Jan 2023

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: 51.4% Cab Franc, 27.7% Merlot, 14.5% Syrah, 6.3% Petit Verdot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Lundy Manor Wine Cellars
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Tied for best Canadian red wine with Lundy Manor’s 2016 Red. Drinking like a nicely aged Bordeaux. Score: 96/100.

Tasting Note: Light to medium garnet in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Dark cherry, dried cranberries, raspberry, blueberry, plum, baby spinach, white & black pepper & shale.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: 18 months in French oak.

Pairings: Drink this now on its own or pair it with Slow Cooker Beef Cheeks in Red Wine.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: January 9, 2023

LCBO: 20188

MON FRÈRE PINOT NOIR 2018, California, United States of America

07 Saturday Jan 2023

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

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Cost: $ 21.99 KYD
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Mon Frère
Alcohol: 13.9% Alcohol/Vol.

I love it when I get impressed by a California Pinot that’s not high in alcohol, not made in the commercial & it’s under $25. This Pinot is made more like in the Willamette Valley style, & it is elegant, bright & well made. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: Light garnet to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Cherry, raspberry, some plum, rhubarb, clove & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: ‘A blend of Sonoma Coast vineyards, Santa Rita Hills Vineyards in Santa Barbara and Santa Lucia Highlands and Vineyards in Monterey. A full spectrum of Pinot Noir clones are represented in this wine.” (Winery)

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: January 5, 2023

CAPE LANDING ROSÉ, 2021, Margaret River, Australia

31 Saturday Dec 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Non LCBO Wine, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $ 24.99 KYD
Grape: Syrah
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: Jacques Scott, Cayman Islands
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cape Landing
Alcohol: 12.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A unique 100% Syrah rosé made in Australia. Not complex but it’s light, bright & very pleasant to drink on its own or with food. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Salmon in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Pink grapefruit, Rainier Cherries, hint of cranberry, thyme & wet stone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: First Australian winery that I have come across that describe the grape used as Syrah vs Shiraz.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 2-3 years on its own or pair it with summer fresh gazpacho.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 31, 2022

WENTE SOUTHERN HILLS CABERNET 2019, Livermore Valley, California, United States of America

08 Thursday Dec 2022

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: Livermore Valley, California
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Wente Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth wine with some sweet fruit but it’s contained by the acidity and being under 14% alcohol. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Plum, Bing cherries, mulberry, blueberry, cocoa, cloves, cinnamon & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Originally reviewed 2014 vintage in 2018, and the price is still the same today. That’s unprecedented!

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with beef back ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 5, 2022

LCBO: 301507

ANTECH CUVÉE EUGÉNIE BRUT CRÉMANT DE LIMOUX 2018, AC Limoux, Languedoc, France

17 Thursday Nov 2022

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

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Cost: $23.95
Grape: 70% Chardonnay, 20% Chenin, 10% Mauzac
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Limoux, Languedoc
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Maison Antech
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

One of my favourite Limouxs. Fresh, clean & creamy. Score: 93/100.

Tasting Note: straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Light yeast, brioche, green apples, honeydew melon, white peach, limestone, & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives:

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 5 years on its own or pair it with Spanish omelette.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick & Best Buy

Tasted: November 10, 2022

LCBO: 25367

CAVE DE RIBEAUVILLÉ GIERSBERGER BRUT, NV, Champenoise Tradition, AC Crêmant d’Alsace, France

08 Tuesday Nov 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $21.95 (Clearance Price: $15.40)
Grape: 80% Pinot Blanc, 20 % Auxerrois
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 ml
Producer: Cave de Ribeauville
Alcohol: 12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice dry sparkling wine with crispness & flavour. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Light straw in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Sourdough bread, lemon zest, green apples, pear & limestone.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “Vineyard on hillsides entirely harvested by hand on the famous geological fault of Ribeauvillé, which offers an incredible diversity of terroirs.
Made in the purest respect of the traditional method with whole harvests and 12 months of aging on slats.”

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5 – 7 years on its own or pair it with salt and pepper calamari.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 6, 2022

LCBO: 183624

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

29 Saturday Oct 2022

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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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