Category Archives: Best Buys

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

ENIGMA CHARDONNAY 2014, California, United States

23 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $14.15 (On sale until 16 July 2017: $12.15)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: United States
Region: California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: E.J Gallo Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

This is comfort Chardonnay

Description: Gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features toasted oak, lemon meringue, baked apples, peach, mango, pineapple, orange, oak spice, butterscotch, vanilla and Easter Lily on the nose. Medium+ body with average acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Orange Honey BBQ Chicken.

Tasted: 20 June 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: 428854

BERONIA RIOJA, TEMPRANILLO, ELABORACION ESPECIAL 2014, Rioja, Spain

23 Sunday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.95
Grape: Tempranillo
Category: Red Wine
Location LCBO General List
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Beronia
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

Classic Rioja style that’s smooth and delicious at a great price

Description: Dark ruby in colour with a medium to medium+ nose. This wine features sandalwood, strawberry, dark cherry, pomegranate, grilled red peppers, cloves, cinnamon, cigar box, oregano, vanilla and leather on the finish. Medium+ body with medium tannins, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: A touch hot on the finish from the 14% alcohol.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 years on its own or pair it with Grilled Steak with Olive Salsa.

Tasted: 21 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 426981

GENESIS XINOMAVRO MERLOT 2014, Pgi Macedonia, Greece

22 Saturday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $16.95 (Clearance price: $13.60)
Grape: Xinomavro & Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Greece
Region: Macedonia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Kechris & Company
Alcohol: 13.0 % Alcohol/Vol.

Full flavoured, tasteful wine that is a great buy

Description: Light ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features sandalwood, dark cherry, plum, raspberry, tamarind, blackberry, red & black pepper, cassis, tobacco leaves and cherry pipe tobacco on the nose. Medium to medium+ body with medium+ tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Love the nose on this wine. Reminds of wines from Graves.

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with a medley of Roasted Butternut Squash, Red Peppers and Beets served with Grilled Flank Steak.

Tasted: 20 June 2017

Best Buy & Amazing Buy at clearance price

Score: 9/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance price: 10/10) Total: 18+/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 465914

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS SMALL LOT MERLOT 2013, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

20 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Red Wines

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Merlot
Category: Red Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Vineyards
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Juicy yet firm, one of the better Ontario Merlot’s for under $25

Description: Medium bronze in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features oak, black cherry, blackcurrants, plum, blueberry, anise, cassis, tobacco leaves, green peppers, rosemary and violets on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 of years on its own or pair it with Mediterranean Lamb Burgers.

Tasted: 4 July 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

POWERS VIOGNIER 2015, Columbia Valley, Washington State, United States

20 Thursday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Top Picks, Price Not Withstanding, White Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Clearance price: $15.20)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Columbia Valley, Washington State
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Badger Mountain Winery
Alcohol: 12.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Deliciously expressing the Viognier grape at an excellent price

Description: Medium straw in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features peach, pear, lemon tart, apricot, Fuji apples, Honeydew melon, clementine, honey and peach pit on the finish. Medium+ body and tannin with good acidity and a good length.

Interesting Note: Don’t over chill this wine or you’ll loose its complexity.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Veal Piccata with Parsley and Capers.

Tasted: 7 July 2017

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9+/10 (Clearance price: 9.5/10) Total: 18.5/20

Best Buy & Top Pick

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

LCBO: 486993

 

VIENI CLASSIC BRUT 2013, VQA Ontario, Canada

03 Monday Jul 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, Non LCBO Wine, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $22.95 (On sale: $19.95)
Grape: 60% Chardonnay, 24% Pinot Noir, 16% Pinot Meunier
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: Winery
Country: Canada
Region: Ontario
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vieni
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Crisp & dry with complexity

Description: Straw with bronze tinge in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose and a fine mousse. This wine features yeast, lemon, green apples, pear, Honeydew Melon, Brazilian nuts, ginger, rose petals on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Champagne grapes but made in Charmat method.

Thanks to Suzie who was a gracious host to me at the winery.

Drink now or in the next 5-7 of years on its own or pair it with Pistachio-Crusted Scallops served with Linguine and olive oil garlic sauce.

Tasted: 2 July 2017

Best Buy

Score: 9/10, Value: 9/10 (Sale price: 9+/10) Total: 18/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

DOMAINE J. LAURENS LE MOULIN BRUT BLANQUETTE DE LIMOUX MÉTHODE TRADITIONNELLE NV, Ac Limoux, France

21 Wednesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $19.95
Grape: 85% Mauzac, 15% Chardonnay
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: France
Region: Limoux
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Domaine J. Laurens
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Nice easy drinking original Champagne with lots of flavour

Description: Medium straw in colour with a low to medium intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features light toasted oak, biscuit, lemon/lime, honeydew melon, Granny Apples, pear, honey and limestone. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next 7 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Linguine with Clam Sauce.

Tasted: 11 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 180323

BOTTEGA VINO DEI POETI BRUT ROSÉ 2016, DOC Lombardy & Veneto, Italy

21 Wednesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $14.95 (On sale until 18 June 2017: $13.95)
Grape: Pinot Nero & Raboso
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO General List
Country: Italy
Region: Lombardy & Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Bottega Spa
Alcohol: 11.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A nice, dry, soft, off-dry & easy to drink rosé sparkler

Description: Light pink salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This wine features McIntosh apple, cherry, raspberry, candy apple and roses on the nose. Medium body with average acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with Mustard Roasted Pork Loin with Squash Polenta.

Tasted: 18 June 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: 277202

VASSE FELIX FILIUS CABERNET MERLOT 2013, Margaret River, Australia

16 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $24.95 (Clearance Price: $17.55)
Grape: 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 10% Malbec
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Margaret River
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Vasse Felix
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A solid red blend from Australia

Description: Medium in colour with an intense nose.This wine features cedar, blackcurrants, plums, dark cherry, cassis, anise, pencil shavings, leather, Portobello mushrooms, tobacco and tomato leaves. Full body with medium tannin, good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Spicy Spaghetti Bolognese.

Tasted: 30 May 2017

Best Buy

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: 446682

ROCKWAY VINEYARDS WILD FERMENT CHARDONNAY 2014, VQA Twenty Mile Bench, Niagara Peninsula, Ontario, Canada

16 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Canadian Wines, White Wines

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Cost: $22.95 (Clearance Price: $18.40)
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Canada
Region: Twenty Mile Bench
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Rockway Glen Estate Winery
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A solid Canadian Chard that’s a nice change from the standard model for an oaked Chard

Description: Bright gold in colour with a medium to medium+ intense nose. This wine features medium toasted oak, lemon meringue, lime, red & green apples, peach, pear, light yeast, oak spice and white flowers on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

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

Tasted: 1 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 484626