Category Archives: Best Buys

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

CREEKSIDE LAURA’S RED 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

02 Tuesday Jun 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Cost: $25.00 (Clearance price: $17.55)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon & Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Syrah & Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Creekside Winery
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A consistent favourite of mine, but due to the high acidity it drinks best when paired with food. Has a beautiful nose.

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with high acidity, a medium+ intense nose, integrated tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features dark cherry, blackberry, loganberry, plum, tamarind, anise, cloves, tomato leaves, & violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Great deal at the clearance price.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years and pair it with Greek styles lamb kebabs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 2, 2020

LCBO: 117960

ROSEMOUNT DIAMON SHIRAZ 2019, South Australia, Australia

01 Monday Jun 2020

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Cost: $15.95 (Sale price until June 21: $13.95)
Grape: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: South Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rosemount Estates
Alcohol:  14.0% Alcohol/Vol.

An excellent value Shiraz that although has some fruit sweetness to it, it’s balanced with a pleasant taste

Tasting Note: Medium purple to ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose, soft tannin & an average length on the finish. Wine features blackberry, plum, dark cherry, ripe tamarind, sweet steak spice & cinnamon.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The sale price at Sobeys is $12.37 vs LCBO’s $13.95

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with roast beef with red wine & banana shallots.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: June 1, 2020

LCBO: 302349

FINCA LOS MAZA RESERVA MALBEC 2016, Valle De Uco, Mendoza, Argentina

27 Wednesday May 2020

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Cost: $17.00 (Clearance price: $13.65)
Grape: Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Argentina
Region: Valle De Uco, Mendoza
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Finca Los Maza
Alcohol:  13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking Malbec full of fruit, structure & spice

Tasting Note: Deep ruby in colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose, firm tannin & an average length on the finish. Wine features blackberry, plum, loganberry, anise, cocoa & tobacco leaves.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years on its own or pair it with lamb shank.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 27, 2020

LCBO: 10772

BERNARD-MASSARD CUVÉE DE L’ECUSSON ROSÉ BRUT SPARKLING WINE NV, Méthode Traditionnelle, Luxembourg

17 Sunday May 2020

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

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Luxembourg
Region:
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bernard-Massard
Alcohol:  12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

I love trying wine from non-tradition wine regions that are rare to get in Ontario, & I am happy to say this is a delight to drink; dry, light & fruity

Tasting Note: Light cooper in colour with fine mousse, good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & a long length on the finish. Wine features lots of strawberry, cherry, green & red apples & thyme.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: The winery was founded in 1921

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with charcuterie.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy & Top Pick

Tasted: May 17, 2020

LCBO: 369074

14 Thursday May 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance Price: $15.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: USA
Region: Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kenwood Winery
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

An easy drinking Chard that balances the oak with the fruit, acidity & minerality without the high alcohol level usually associated with California Chards

Tasting Note: Bright gold in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features lemon, peach, Golden apples, yellow plums, honeydew melon, light oak spic, vanilla & limestone.

Negatives: None

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with  rotisserie chicken.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 14, 2020

LCBO: 158790

JOSH CELLARS MERLOT 2018, California, United States of America

13 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until May 24, 2020: $16.95)
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: USA
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Josh Cellars
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Here’s a nice surprise: a California red that is below 14% alcohol, not sweet or flabby, has some complexity, it’s priced under $20 & oh yes, it’s nice to drink

Tasting Note: Light to medium ruby in colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, mild tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, blackberry, blueberry, black & red currants, raspberries, arugula, mocha & vanilla

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: You won’t find this wine on Josh Cellars winery website, strange but true. I expect it is made for export only.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Mongolian Beef.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 13, 2020

LCBO: 638221

GRAN FEUDO ROSÉ 2018, Navarra, Spain

07 Thursday May 2020

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $12.85 (Sale price until May 24: $11.35)
Grape: 38% Garnacha, 30% Tempranillo, 21% Merlot, 11% Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Navarra
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Gran Feudo
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

Probably one of the best Rosé you can find for under $13

Tasting Note: Rich pomegranate colour with good acidity, a light to medium intense nose & an average length on the finish. Wine features strawberry, Dragon Fruit, orange.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: On the label it list Syrah but not Granache as one of the grapes used. However, on the Gran Feudo’s website it’s the opposite.

Pairings: Drink now or over the next couple of years on its own or pair it with BBQ spare ribs.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Amazing Buy & Best Buy

Tasted: May 7, 2020

LCBO: 165845

PENINSULA RIDGE RESERVE SYRAH 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

06 Wednesday May 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance price: $17.30)
Grape: Syrah
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peninsula Ridge
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A pleasant drinking Ontario Syrah made in the classic Rhone style & it’s great deal at the clearance price if you can find it

Tasting Note: Light+ ruby colour with good acidity, a medium+ intense nose, medium to mild tannin & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, mulberry, plum, clove, white & black peppers and a slight smokiness on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: For some reason if you buy it at the winery, the cost is $30.15?!

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with braised beef short-ribs.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 6, 2020

LCBO: 230896

DOMAINE DE SÉRAME VIOGNIER 2017, IGP Pays D’Oc, France

05 Tuesday May 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Clearance price: $11.20)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Southern France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château de Sérame
Alcohol:  13.0% Alcohol/Vol.

A simple yet elegant wine; very pleasant to drink at a good price

Tasting Note: Straw colour with good acidity, a medium intense nose & a fairly long length on the finish. Wine features apricot, peach, pear, lemon & cloves.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic wine

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with poached salmon.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 5, 2020

LCBO: 10631

CUVÉE L’ÉQUILIBRE 2016, AOC Pézenas, Coteaux de Languedoc, France

03 Sunday May 2020

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: 60% Syrah, 20% Grenache Noir, 20%Carignan
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Pézenas, Coteaux de Languedoc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Villa Symposia
Alcohol:  13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A delicious classic Southern French rustic style wine

Tasting Note: Medium ruby in colour with good acidity, an intense nose, medium tannin & a long length on the finish. Wine features cherry, plum, strawberry, white pepper, peppercorn, Allspice, tarragon, sandalwood & purple lilac on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Organic wine

Pairings: Drink now or over the next 3-5 years on its own or pair it with rack of lamb.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: May 2, 2020

LCBO: 298620