Category Archives: Best Buys

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

LOUIS M. MARTINI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, Sonoma County, California, United States of America

03 Thursday Jun 2021

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Cost: $24.95 (Sale price until June 2021: $21.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Louis M Martini
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A quality Cali Cab wine under $25 that’s smooth with lots of nice black & red fruits. Nice to see this vintage below 14.5% alcohol. Score: 92/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackcurrants, blackberries, plum, tamarind, raspberry, mocha, Crème de Cassis turmeric, vanilla, leather & purple lilacs on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 1, 2021

LCBO: 292151

CONCANNON VINEYARD CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2017, Paso Robles, California, United States of America

30 Sunday May 2021

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: Paso Robles, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Concannon Vineyards
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A complex, not sweet or flabby, not in the usual high alcohol range of 14.5% that’s common from the warm region of Paso Robles, just nice, smooth & great taste. Score: 90/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, blackcurrants, blackberries, plum, ripe tamarind, raspberry, cocoa, nutmeg, turmeric, vanilla, leather & purple lilacs on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Established in 1883 when the winery imported grapes from Bordeaux to establish their Cabernet Sauvignon

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years on its own or pair it with slow cooker Beef Cheeks in Red Wine.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 2, 2021

LCBO: 10039

BELLERUCHE ROUGE CÔTE-DU-RHÔNE 2019, AOP Côtes-du-Rhône, France

07 Friday May 2021

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Cost: $16.95 (Sale price: $13.95 until May 23, 2021)
Grape: Grenache & Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Côtes-Du-Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: M. Chapoutier
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex just a flavourful wine with nice fruits & spiciness at a reasonable price & even that much better at the sale price. Score: 89/100.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby with a purple tinge in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, strawberry, blackcurrants, mulberry, white & black peppers, Allspice & licorice.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: Aged 6 months in concrete and stainless-steel tanks.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with Spicy Moroccan Lamb Burger with harissa and black pepper Mayo

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 6, 2021

LCBO: 17779

FLOR DE MAIO MAYFLOWER 2016, IG Alentejano, Portugal

02 Sunday May 2021

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Trincadeira, Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Alentejano
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnum Vinhos Wines
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An undervalued wine, which is great for the consumer, as you get lots of red fruit with spiciness. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Opaque in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, raspberry, strawberry, pomegranate, mulberry, white & black peppers, Allspice, licorice & fennel on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This wine is Vegan friendly & 100% fermented in stainless steel.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with BBQ Alabama Beef Ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy, Best Buy

Tasted: May 1, 2021

LCBO: 427195

13th STREET WINERY CLASSIC SERIES CABERNET MERLOT 2018, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

29 Thursday Apr 2021

Posted by in 13th Street Winery, Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, Red Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 67% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth easy everyday drinking wine. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, soft tannin & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, plum, red & black currants, sweet toasted oak, white pepper & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Wine was aged both in stainless steel & oak barrels. Also, please see my review on the 2019 vintage.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Roast Beef with Plum Pudding

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 28, 2021

LCBO: 56598

13th STREET WINERY CABERNET/MERLOT CLASSIC SERIES 2019, VQA Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

25 Sunday Apr 2021

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 47% Merlot
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery (See Interesting Point below)
Country: Canada
Region: Creek Shores, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: 13th Street Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This delicious wine is 100%-barrel fermented & has a burst of fruit expression then it’s rounded out by the Merlot. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium tannin & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Black cherry, mulberry, plum, pomegranate, sweet toast, malt chocolate, white pepper & vanilla.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The 2019 vintage is currently available only at the winery, but the LCBO still carries the 2018 at $19.95

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 24, 2021

LCBO: 56598

ABBOTTS & DELAUNEY LES FRUITS SAUVAGES CHARDONNAY 2019, Pay DOC, France

21 Wednesday Apr 2021

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Cévennes, Limoux Aude Valley, Hérault
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Abbott Delaunay
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Found my new inexpensive easy drinking Chard. This wine should please those that are anti-oak to those that like rich bold wines. This wine has freshness with a slight buttery finish. Score: 92/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a good length on the finish. This wine features: Lemon, green apples, pear, peach, clementine, honeydew melon, dill, ginger, light oak spice & Gardenia on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: “The grapes from Cévennes bring freshness, those from Limoux’s Aude Valley introduce aromatic fruit tones to the bouquet, and those grown in Hérault add richness. Partially fermented in oak with the rest in stainless steel.” LCBO. This wine taste just as good as in a Chablis style stemware as well as the larger Chards that are big & rich.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Roasted Chicken & Pears

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 20, 2021

LCBO: 18371

SEÑARÍO DE LA ANTIGUA FINCA CABANELA MENĆIA 2015, DO Castilla y León, Spain

20 Tuesday Apr 2021

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Menćia
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Castilla y León
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bodegas Seńorío de la Antigua
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not complex but very flavourful, easy drinking, not flat or sweet, plus it’s good value for your money. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Medium dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, smooth tannin & an average length on the finish. This wine features: Blackberry, blackcurrants, plum, tamarind, mushrooms & white pepper.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Lightly chill to about 17 C in order to give this wine more freshness

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Carne Asada

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 19, 2021

LCBO: 481549

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE SEMILLON-SAUVIGNON BLANC 2017, VQA Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

12 Monday Apr 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: 83% Semillon, 17% Sauvignon Blanc
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Lincoln Lakeshore, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

This wine gives you a nice balance between sour & tart flavours. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Deep straw in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Gooseberry, fresh cut grass, lemon-lime custard, grapefruit, passionfruit & chalk.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Fermented in both stainless steel and French oak barrels

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Green Papaya Salad with Grilled Shrimp

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 9, 2021

NIAGARA COLLEGE TEACHING WINERY BALANCE MUSCAT 2019, VQA Ontario, Canada

09 Friday Apr 2021

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, Niagara College Teaching Winery, Non LCBO Wine, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines, Winery Review Series

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Muscat
Category: White Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Niagara College Teaching Winery
Alcohol:  10.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking, delicious off dry white wine to have on a beautiful sunny day on the patio or while enjoying a hot tub. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Straw in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose & a long length on the finish. This wine features: Honeydew melon, kiwi, green apples, lemon meringue, clementine, peach & Ylang-ylang on the nose.     

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Thanks to Chetan from the Teaching Winery Store for suggesting this wine.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-4 years on its own or pair it with Thai green curry coconut shrimp.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: April 9, 2021