Category Archives: Best Buys

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

PELEE ISLAND PELEE PINK 2016, VQA Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $11.95
Grape: Chambourcin
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Pelee Island Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Not your typical rosé, interesting & priced for the taking

Description: Pomegranate in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features rhubarb, sour cherry, raspberry, tomato leaves and shitake mushrooms on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Chambourcin is a French-American hybrid, widely planted in areas not well suited for Vitis Vinefera such as Missouri, Indiana & Michigan.

Drink now or in the next couple of years

Tasted: 19 October 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 529354

MELINI CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2009, DOCG Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy

20 Thursday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 4 Nov 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti Classico, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Melini Casa Fondata
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smooth, a delight to drink & a 2009 for under $20

Description: Light ruby to garnet in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light cedar, cherry, raspberry, leather and sage. Medium body with good acidity a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I like the classic label.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 23 October 2017

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9.5+/10) Total: 17.5+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 487819

AMAROSÉ FOREIGN AFFAIR 2016, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

19 Wednesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: 13.30)
Grape: 73% Pinot Noir, 27% Chardonnay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Foreign Affair Winery
Alcohol: 12.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A solid rosé with full flavours yet still is crisp & dry

Description: Rose gold in colour with a low to medium intense nose. This wine strawberry, cherry, watermelon, pear, raspberry and rhubarb. Medium body with good acidity and a good long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Partial grape drying in the Appassimento method brings out the flavours in this rosé.

Drink now or in the next 3 of years

Tasted: 9 November 2017

Best Buy and Amazing Buy at the clearance price

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Clearance Price: 9.5/10), Total: 18/20

Recommended

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 388702

JACOB’S CREEK CHARDONNAY PINOT NOIR BRUT NV, Southeastern Australia

17 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Chardonnay & Pinot Noir
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Australia
Region: Southeastern Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Jacob’s Creek Winery
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice flavoured, inexpensive dry sparkler that is an excellent replacement for Prosecco.

Description: Light gold in colour with a light to medium intense nose and medium mousse. This wine features light yeast, lemon, yellow apple, pear, lime and orange rind. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 1 January 2018

Best Buy

Recommended

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 3.5+

LCBO: 210633

CHÂTEAU DES CHARMES PAUL BOSC ESTATE VINEYARDS 2014, VQA St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada

17 Monday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Highly Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: St. David’s Bench, Niagara Region, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Château des Charmes
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

One of the better Ontario Chards at this price point

Description: Bright yellow gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features light to medium toasted oak, lemon tart, peach, pineapple, green & yellow apples, crème brûlée, honeydew melon, ginger, dill, oak spice and a light smoke on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years

Tasted: 4 January 2018

Best Buy

Highly Recommended

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9/10 Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4+

LCBO: 511345

BONTERRA CHARDONNAY 2016, Mendocino County, California, United States

14 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price until Feb 25, 2018)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Mendocino County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fetzer Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Fair priced Chardonnay that I like

Positives: Smooth, rich in flavour, tropical fruit, spicy, well balanced between oak, fruit and acidity, it’s organic and under $20.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 12, 2018

LCBO: 342436

CLOS DU BOIS SONOMA RESERVE MERLOT 2014, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

12 Wednesday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $24.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Clos du Bois
Alcohol: 14.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Competes with higher end Napa Merlots but at half the price. Reminds me of Caymus Cabernet Sauvignon ($103.95 vs $24.95).

Positives: Yummy, smooth, juicy, rich in flavours, black fruits, spices well balanced between oak, fruit and acidity.

Negatives: Corrugated cork decreases ageing potential. High alcohol of 14.5%, but it’s well integrated.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years.

Best Buy and Top Pick

Tasted: February 13, 2018

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

LCBO: 34900

SIMI CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California, United States

12 Wednesday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $22.95
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Alexander Valley, Sonoma County, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Simi Winery
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This shouldn’t disappoint people looking for a quality Cab from one of my favourite wine areas in the world, Alexander Valley.

Positives: Lower price than most Cabs from Alexander Valley. Not a heavy wine, but still having a good mix of red and black fruit along with moderate tannins and good acidity.

Negatives: Corrugated cork decreases ageing potential.

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years.

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 15, 2018

LCBO: 25221

BOHIGAS RESERVA BRUT CAVA NV, DO Cava, Spain

07 Friday Dec 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance Price: $15.20)
Grape: 50% Xarello, 30% Macabeo, 20% Parellada
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Fermi Bohigas
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

A dry, versatile sparkling wine that’s easy to drink

Positives: Well balanced sparkling wine with some depth. A nice mix of yeast, citric fruit and white fruit.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 5-7 years.

Best Buy

My Opinion: Recommended

Tasted: February 18, 2018

LCBO: 401216

 

CABRIZ COLHEITA SELECIONADA 2014, DOC Doã, Portugal

07 Friday Dec 2018

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

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: 40% Alfrocheiro, 40% Roriz Ink, 20% National Touriga
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Dão
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cabriz
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

There are quality inexpensive wines vs sweet red inexpensive wines, and this is the former. If this were a Canadian or American wine you would have it priced $20 to $25

Positives: A nice array of black cherries, plums, raspberries, spices & dark chocolates. Nicely balanced between the oak, fruit and acidity.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or in the next 3-5 years.

Amazing and Best Buy

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Tasted: February 19, 2018

LCBO: 247973