Category Archives: Best Buys

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

GHOST PINES WINEMAKER’S BLEND CHARDONNAY 2019, 53% Sonoma, 27% Napa, 20% Mendocino Counties, California, United States of America

10 Thursday Dec 2020

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Cost: $21.95 (Sale price: $19.95 until Jan 3, 2021)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: 53% Sonoma, 27% Napa, 20% Mendocino Counties
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ghost Pines
Alcohol:  14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Consistently a really good Cali Chard, so not surprisingly it sells out when the LCBO puts in on sale a few times each year. This wine has a nice balance, smooth & just pleasant to drink. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, peach, pineapple, pear, honeydew melon, butter, vanilla, light oak spice, ginger & honeysuckle on the nose.

Negatives: 14.5% alcohol

Interesting Point: The 2018 vintage was somewhat better than this recent 2019 vintage.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 4-6 years & pair it with Butter Chicken with Garlic-Ginger Masala.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 9, 2020

LCBO: 308122

TOM CORE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, California, United States of America

05 Saturday Dec 2020

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

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price: $17.95 until Jan 3, 2021)
Grape: Grenache & Viognier
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Tom Gore Vineyards
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking Cali Cab whose grapes are sourced from Central & North Coast. This surprisingly complex wine has nice dark fruit, without the sweetness & high alcohol associated with too many of the Cali Cabs, along with a nice balance from the oak. Score: 91/100

Tasting Note: Opaque ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, plum, blackberry, blackcurrants, mocha, dark chocolate, cinnamon, cloves, tobacco leaves, turmeric, leather, pencil shavings & dried sage.

Negatives: Some heat coming from the 13.5% alcohol.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3 – 4 years & pair it with Garlic and Herb crusted Roasted Rack of Lamb. 

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: December 5, 2020

LCBO: 451336

KEN FORRESTER PETIT ROSÉ 2019, Western Cape, South Africa

02 Wednesday Dec 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Grenache & Viognier
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Western Cape
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Ken Forrester Wines
Alcohol:  12.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant, inexpensive rosé which has a nice sour/tart finish. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Light copper in colour with high acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features strawberry, sour cherries, raspberry, dragon fruit & granite.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next couple of years & pair it with Dong Po Pork [Traditional Braised Pork Belly] especially from Ma Chinese restaurant in St. Catharines.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: December 2, 2020

LCBO: 553040

JOSH CELLARS CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018, California, United States of America

27 Friday Nov 2020

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Nov 29, 2020)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Josh Cellars
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Unusually a lot of spice to go with the fruit for this Cali Cab that’s under $20, which is a good thing. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Dark ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, round tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, plum, raspberry, blackberry, tamarind, Allspice, cloves, cinnamon, turmeric, pencil shavings, vanilla & leather.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: This vintage is a lot better than the 2014 vintage that I reviewed in 2016.

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with Thai Fried Beef in Tamarind Sauce. 

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 26, 2020

LCBO: 461053

CASTELLO DELLA SALA BRAMITO CHARDONNAY 2019, IGT, Umbria, Italy

25 Wednesday Nov 2020

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Umbria
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Castello dela Sala
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A different style Chard that you wouldn’t normally find here in Ontario as it some oak, citric fruit, mild spice, minerality & smoothness. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light bright gold in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon-lime, green apples, pear, persimmon, dill, cardamom, limestone & clay.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-6 years & pair it with persimmon risotto with pancetta and goat cheese.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 25, 2020

LCBO: 176792

INVIVO PINOT NOIR 2018, Central Otago, New Zealand

23 Monday Nov 2020

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Central Otago
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Invivo
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

On tasting this Pinot, my mouth just expressed so much delight as the flavours just jumped out & stayed with my taste buds. This is a true Pinot delight at a great price for a Central Otago Pinot found at the LCBO, as well, I just love the writings on the front & back labels. It truly does have “Traces of Bloody Good Wine”. Score: 94/100

Tasting Note: Light garnet in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, smooth tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, strawberry, raspberry, grilled portobello mushrooms, peat moss, autumn leaves & barnyard notes.   

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Chill to 15C & use the balloon style glassware

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with grilled duck breast.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: November 23, 2020

LCBO: 466029

JULES TAYLOR CHARDONNAY 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand

21 Saturday Nov 2020

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: New Zealand
Region: Marlborough
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jules Taylor Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A delightful complex & spicy Chard at a great price. Score: 90/100

Tasting Note: Light gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & yellow apples, pear, peach, clementine, cloves, ginger, dill, oak spice & limestone.   

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 5-7 years & pair it with creamy risotto with roasted chicken thighs topped with fresh spring onion.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 21, 2020

LCBO: 14566

BOSCHENDAL 1685 CHARDONNAY 2019, South Africa

20 Friday Nov 2020

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Boschendal
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A well priced Chard that’s pleasant to drink, which has balance between the oak, the fruit & acidity. Score: 89/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, pineapple, green apples, pear, ginger & oak spice.   

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with grilled peppercorn & salt scallops on a bed of spaghettini in olive oil & basil.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 19, 2020

LCBO: 367698

LE GRAVILLAS SABLET CÔTES DU RHÔNES-VILLAGE 2017, AOC Sablet, Côtes du Rhône, France

18 Wednesday Nov 2020

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Sablet, Côtes du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave Le Gravillas
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Very expressive with lots of spice. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Dark purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, round tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, blackcurrants, redcurrants, plum, blackberry, tobacco, arugula, black & white pepper.  

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with seared venison backstrap with blackberry sauce.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 18, 2020

LCBO: 78790

KENDALL-JACKSON VINTNER’S RESERVE CHARDONNAY, 2018 California, United States of America

16 Monday Nov 2020

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Cost: $21.95 (Sale price until: Nov 29, 2020)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States of America
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jackson Estate
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A balanced barrel fermented Chard with good acidity, tropical fruit & some creaminess all without having the high alcohol that Chards from California seem to be the norm. Score: 88/100

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, green & golden apples, peach, toasted pineapple, papaya, ginger, dill, oak spice & vanilla.  

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink this now or in the next 3-5 years & pair it with crab Alfredo.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 16, 2020

LCBO: 369686