Category Archives: Best Buys

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

BARONNE DU CHATELARD ROSÉ D’ÉTÉ 2017, AP Beaujolais, France

27 Tuesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Gamay
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Beaujolais
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baronne Du Chatelard
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A rare rosé from Beaujolais that shouldn’t be missed, plus it’s well priced. A dry wine having tropical fruit, tangy with some spice to it.

Positives: Salmon colour featuring peach, nectarine, lime, kiwi and white pepper.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best buy

Tasted: July 18, 2018

LCBO: 119438

VILLA BLANCHE CHARDONNAY 2017, IGP Pays d’Orc, France

21 Wednesday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, White Wines

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Cost: $15.00 (Sale price: $13.00)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: France
Region: Pays d’Orc
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Calmel & Joseph
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Above average Chard at the sale price

Positives: Lemon, pink grapefruit, tangerine, white peach, McIntosh apples, and honeydew melon.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 18, 2018

LCBO: 375071

CAVE DE LUGNY CRÉMANT DE BOURGOGNE BRUT BLANC DE BLANC NV, Traditional Method, Ac Burgundy, France

21 Wednesday Nov 2018

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

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Burgundy, Mâconnais, Lugny
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cave De Lugny
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Besides being yummy, it’s also delicious. Lighter style, easy to drink, but full of flavour. Get a true Bourgogne Blanc de Blanc at half to three times less in price than those made in the Champagne region.

Positives: Fine mousse with taste of brioche, buttered toast, lemon, pink grapefruit, green apples, hazelnut, pear and white flowers on the nose.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Top Pick, Best Buy

Tasted: August 19, 2018

LCBO: 460865

CON SUR RESERVA ESPECIAL CARMENÈRE 2017, DO Valle del Cachapoal, Chile

16 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Carmenère
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Chile
Region: Cachapoal Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Cono Sur
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy, low tannin wine that’s a great alternative to Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot, and it’s under the usual 14.5% alcohol that is normally associated with Carms

Positives: Black currants, blackberry, plums, blueberry, dark chocolate, cinnamon and cigar box.

Negatives: None

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

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 20, 2018

LCBO: 569657

RUSTENBERG PETIT VERDOT ROSÉ 2017, WO Stellenbosch, South Africa

09 Friday Nov 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Petit Verdot
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rustenberg Wines
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

This is interesting, in a good way with it being smooth, juicy & full of flavour

Positives: Beautiful rosé colour featuring cherry, strawberry, watermelon and cranberry.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: November 9, 2018

LCBO: 451773

XAVIER VIGNON CÔTES DU RHÔNE ROSÉ 2017, Ac Côtes du Rhône, France

26 Friday Oct 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Mouvèdre, Grenache, Syrah, Cinsault
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Côte du Rhône
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Xavier Vignon
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Delicious, smooth, elegant and with complexity. One of the best rosé for under $20

Positives: Light copper in colour featuring watermelon, strawberries, sage and rhubarb.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 2-3 years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: October 26, 2018

LCBO: 450908

BARÓN DE LAY ROSÉ 2017, DOC Rioja, Spain

17 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Recommended, Rosés

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Tempranillo & Garnacha
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Baron De Ley
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A bold rosé that pairs nicely with grilled pork, grilled stuffed peppers or sharp cheeses

Positives: Red snapper in colour featuring notes of strawberry, blood orange, Thyme and sage.

Negatives: None

Ageability: Drink now or over the next couple of years.

My Opinion: Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: August 25, 2018

LCBO: 117283

VILLA PUCCINI CHIANTI RISERVA 2014, DOCG Chianti, Tuscany, Italy

17 Monday Sep 2018

Posted by in Best Buys, Highly Recommended, Red Wines

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Cost: $15.95
Grape: Sangiovese
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Chianti, Tuscany
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Michele Puccini
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Great value Chianti Riserva that is smooth and juicy.

Positives: Sour cherry, raspberry, nutmeg, cinnamon, oregano and violets on the nose.

Negatives: None

Interesting Point: Serve at 16 – 18 C

Ageability: Drink now or over the next 3-4 of years.

My Opinion: Highly Recommended

Best Buy

Tasted: Sept 17, 2018

LCBO: 573519

G. MARQUIS THE SILVER LINE CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Niagara-On-The-Lake, Niagara, Ontario, Canada

03 Tuesday Oct 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara-On-The-Lake, Niagara, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Magnotta Winery
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Nicely balanced, oak influenced, cool climate Ontario Chard

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon, pear, cantaloupe, ginger and oak spice. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Similar Niagara Chards of this style sell for $19.95, Magnotta’s G. Marquis winery Chard price is $2 less.

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with chicken breast stuffed with cheddar cheese & broccoli.

Tasted: 24 Aug 2017

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 258681

SCHOLA SARMENTI ROCCAMORA NARDÓ 2013, DOC Nardó, Apulia, Italy

18 Friday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.95 (Clearance price: $13.60)
Grape: Negroamaro
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Nardó, Apulia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Schola Sarmenti
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Smokey with lots of spice with a mouthful of flavour

Description: Dark ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, dried cherry, raisins, blackberry, cloves, cinnamon, white & black pepper and cherry tobacco on the nose. Medium+ body with mild tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: I like the label

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Pasta Arrabbiata.

Tasted: 14 Aug 2017

Best Buy & Amazing buy at the clearance price

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

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

LCBO: 379768