Category Archives: Best Buys

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

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

PELLER ESTATES PRIVATE RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Wednesday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Peller Estates Winery
Alcohol: 13.3% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but elegant

Description: Gold in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features light oak, lemon, green & red apples, almonds, dill and white flowers on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Spiced Sea Bass with Caramelized Fennel.

Tasted: 12 Aug 2017

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 383109

MARQUÉS DE CÁCERES ROSADO 2016, Doca Rioja, Spain

14 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Cost: $13.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Marqués de Cáceres
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Another solid, dry yet juicy Spanish rosé made from Tempranillo

Description: Red snapper in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, red currants, peach, pink grapefruit and cloves. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 3 of years on its own or pair it with Rosemary Flatbread topped with Blue Cheese, Grapes and Honey.

Tasted: 1 August 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: 622142

CAVE DE HOEN MAUSBERB BLANC DE BLANC BRUT CRÉMANT D’ALSACE NV, Methode Traditionnelle, AOC Alsace, France

14 Monday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $17.95
Grape: Alsatian White Grapes
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Alsace
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Sica Baron De Hoen
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple but elegant

Description: Light straw in colour with a medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light yeast, brioche, white peach, green apples, pears and white flowers on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Butternut Squash Ravioli with Brown Butter Sage.

Tasted: 13 Aug 2017

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 171785

COLUMBIA WINERY CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2014, Columbia Valley, Washington, United States

12 Saturday Aug 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Mouvèdre, 7% Syrah, 7% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 1% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Columbia Winery
Alcohol: 13.7% Alcohol/Vol.

A rich Cab with candied dark fruits that’s below 14% alcohol

Description: Opaque ruby to purple in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features smoked oak, plum, ripe tamarind, blackcurrant, Christmas cake, leather, white pepper, mocha, toffee Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Columbia Winery’s new label is a 1,000 times better than the old one, which was to simplistic & non imaginative.

Drink now or in the next 2-4 of years on its own or pair it with Smoked Onion and Gruyere Cheese Tarts.

Tasted: 10 Aug 2017

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 460675

JEAN CLAUDE MAS ORIGINES MARTINOLLES 2015, Pays D’oc Saint Hilaire, France

12 Saturday Aug 2017

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Clearance price: $11.20)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO
Country: France
Region: Saint Hilaire, France
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Les Demaines Paul Mas
Alcohol: 13% Alcohol/Vol.

Impressive Chard, even more impressive that’s it’s inexpensive

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features mild oak, lemon/lime, mango, pineapple, Spy apples, white peach, coconut crème pie, vanilla and Ylang Ylang on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Try using the Montrachet style glassware

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with Quail Roasted with Honey, Cumin and Orange Juice.

Tasted: 4 Aug 2017

Best & Amazing Buy

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

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

LCBO: 469999

ORGANIZED CRIME CHARDONNAY 2013, VQA Beamsville Bench, Ontario, Canada

27 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Cost: $14.75
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Beamsville Bench, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Organized Crime
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice rich, creamy Chard Ontario Chard that’s not high in alcohol & under $15

Description: Gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium oak, butter toast, lemon, mango, pineapple, peach, Fuji Apples, cream corn, vanilla and buttered popcorn on the nose. Medium+ body with light average acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Use the larger Montrachet glassware

Drink now or in the next 3-5 of years on its own or pair it with.

Tasted: 13 July 2017

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

Best Buy

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

LCBO: 408435

THE FOREIGN AFFAIR: THE CONSPIRACY 2015, VQA Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

27 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Red Wines

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Cost: $19.95 (Sale price: $17.95 until 16 July 2017)
Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Niagara Peninsula, Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: The Foreign Affair Winery
Alcohol: 13.1% Alcohol/Vol.

A nice well balanced Ontario red for under $20

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, blackcurrants, cherry, plum, blackberry, turmeric, clove and eucalyptus on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Done in the Ripasso method of drying of the grapes giving the wine more richness & depth.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Roasted Châteaubriand with Red Wine-Mushroom Reduction and Pommes Puree.

Tasted: 11 July 2017

Best Buy

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

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

LCBO: 149237