Category Archives: Best Buys

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

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

STONEHEDGE GRAND RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2014, Napa Valley, California, United States

16 Friday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $21.95
Grape: Chardonnay
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: United States
Region: Napa Valley, California
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Stonehedge Winery
Alcohol: 14.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

A nice balanced Napa Chard between oak, fruit & acidity at a good price

Description: Light gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light to medium toasted oak, butter, lemon, orange, pineapple, mango, ginger, dill, peaches & cream corn, oak spice and apple blossoms on the nose. Medium+ body with good acidity and a long length.

Negatives: Touch to much heat from the 14.5% alcohol

Drink now or in the next 5 of years on its own or pair it with Seared Foie Gras.

Tasted: 6 June 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 311548

WAKEFIELD SHIRAZ 2015, Clare Valley, Australia

13 Tuesday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95 (Sale price until 18 June 2017: $15.95)
Grape: Shiraz
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Australia
Region: Clare Valley
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Wakefield Wines
Alcohol: 14 % Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best commercially produced Shiraz from Australia

Description: Medium ruby in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features light cedar, blueberry, blackberry, plum, black pepper, cassis, vanilla and lavender on the nose. Medium body with light tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: Some heat from the 14% alcohol.

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

Tasted: 8 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: 943787

YALUMBA THE Y SERIES VIOGNIER 2016, South Australia, Australia

12 Monday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $13.95 (Sale price until 18 June 2017: $12.95)
Grape: Viognier
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO general list
Country: Australia
Region: South Australia
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Yalumba
Alcohol: 13.5 % Alcohol/Vol.

One of the best value Viogniers

Description: Deep straw in colour with a medium intense nose. This wine features lemon, peach, apricot, pineapple, ginger, peach pit, honey and jasmine 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 Spicy Ginger Chicken Pad Thai.

Tasted: 29 May 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 470062

DeMORGENZEN GARDEN VINEYARDS ROSÉ 2016, Stellenbosch, South Africa

01 Thursday Jun 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Rosés

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Cost: $11.95
Grape: 54% Grenache, 36% Syrah, 10% Mourvédre
Category: Rosé Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: South Africa
Region: Stellenbosch
Format: 750 mL
Producer: DeMorgenzon
Alcohol: 13.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Great value summer drink so you may wish  to get several bottles

Description: Light salmon in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cherry, strawberry, apple, honeydew melon, passion fruit and white rose on the nose. Medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: DeMorgenzon originally founded in 1699, means “morning sun”.

Drink now or in the next couple of years on its own or pair it with a Spinach & Goat Cheese Salad made with Warm Sun Dried Cranberries and Crispy Italian Pancetta with Basil Olive Oil 

Tasted: 25 May 2017

Best Buy

Score: 8.5+/10, Value: 10/10, Total: 18.5/20

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 485813

VÉRTICE CUVÉE, BRUTO ESPUMANTE, CLASSIC METHOD NV, DOC Douro, Portugal

30 Tuesday May 2017

Posted by in Amazing Buys, Best Buys, Sparkling Wine

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Cost: $16.95 (Clearance Price: $13.60)
Grape: 37% Gouveio, 27% Touriga Franca, 15% Malvasia Fina, 9% Viosinho
Category: Sparkling Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Portugal
Region: Douro
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Caves Transmontanas
Alcohol: 12% Alcohol/Vol.

Champagne style at a great price

Description: Rose gold in colour with a medium+ intense nose and fine mousse. This complex wine features, light toasted oak, brioche, lemon/lime, orange, Anjou pear, pineapple, green apple, peach, limestone and Easter Lily & peat moss on the nose. Light to medium body with good acidity and an average length.

Negatives: None

Interesting Note: Disgorgement in November 2015 with 60% from 2011 and 20% from 2009/2010 and aged 36 months in the bottle.

Drink now or in the next 10 of years on its own or pair it with Lemon Grass Snapper Ceviche.

Tasted: 7 May 2017

Best Buy & Amazing Buy for Sparkling Wines

Score: 9+/10, Value: 9.5/10 (Clearance Price: 10/10), Total: 19/20

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

LCBO: 482679

MONT ZOVO SA’ SOLIN VALPOLICELLA RIPASSO 2014, DOC Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy

27 Saturday May 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, Red Wines

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Cost: $18.95
Grape: Corvina blend
Category: Red Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Italy
Region: Valpolicella, Veneto
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Monte Zovo
Alcohol: 14% Alcohol/Vol.

A mini Amarone that gives some good power at half the price

Description: Medium to dark garnet in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features cedar, plum, dried cherries, blackberry, raspberry, wild blueberries, tobacco, dried herbs, black olives, prosciutto and sandalwood on the nose. Medium+ body with medium tannin, good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my brother, Andrew & his wife Liz, who brought this wine to dinner at my house.

Drink now or in the next 3-7 of years on its own or pair it with Braised Oxtail with Basil Dumplings.

Tasted: 9 May 2017

Best Buy

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

Out of 5 stars, I rated this wine: 4

LCBO: 650713

DÜRNBER L AND T FALKENSTEIN GRÜNER VELTLINER 2015, QbA Niederösterreich, Austria

27 Saturday May 2017

Posted by in Best Buys, White Wines

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Cost: $14.95
Grape: Grüner Veltliner
Category: White Wine
Location: LCBO Vintages
Country: Austria
Region: Niederösterreich
Format: 750 mL
Producer: Dürnberg Fine Wine GMBH
Alcohol: 11.5% Alcohol/Vol.

Simple, yet elegant GV that’s light & refreshing

Description: Deep straw with a green ting in colour with a medium+ intense nose. This wine features green apples, lime, peach, white pepper and limestone. Light to medium body with good acidity and a good length.

Negatives: None

Thanks to my brother, Andrew and his wife Liz, for bringing this wine for his visit to my place.

Drink now or in the next 2-3 of years on its own or pair it with Scallop Ceviche in an Orange Juice, Shallot & Scotch Bonnet Vinaigrette.

Tasted: 8 May 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: 464537